Major works to improve Perth's road network

Transport Minister Troy Buswell today announced that Main Roads WA was about to undertake a series of road improvement works on sections of Perth's freeway system to increase vehicle capacity and improve safety.

  • Major road works this year to improve freeway capacity and safety

  • Resultant easing of traffic congestion

  • Road users urged to be patient and take care

Transport Minister Troy Buswell today announced that Main Roads WA was about to undertake a series of road improvement works on sections of Perth's freeway system to increase vehicle capacity and improve safety.

"The Liberal-National Government has embarked on a series of road works and transformational projects in and around Perth to significantly improve our transport network, reduce CBD congestion and provide better infrastructure," Mr Buswell said.

"These changes are a necessary part of planning for our increasing population and during this process of major transformation, disruption to traffic is inevitable. On behalf of the Government, I ask people to please be patient during the months ahead."

Works will include the provision of a third traffic lane in both directions through the Graham Farmer Freeway (GFF) tunnel and construction of an extra lane to the Mitchell Freeway northbound, from the tunnel to Hutton Street.

"These two projects, to be delivered at a cost of $57million, are part of a broader package of transport initiatives designed to improve the operation of the CBD road network and address the challenges associated with Perth's increasing population," the Minister said.

"Another $30million is being spent on widening the Mitchell Freeway northbound between Hepburn Avenue and Hodges Drive from late January to mid-2013.

"As with last year's widening of Kwinana Freeway between Roe and Leach highways, there will be some impacts on traffic movement on sections of the Mitchell and Graham Farmer freeways at various times throughout 2013.

"Main Roads will do everything possible to minimise disruptions and delays to motorists, such as maintaining the existing number of traffic lanes northbound on Mitchell Freeway during daytime construction of the additional lane.  Motorists will also be kept advised of potential delays through a number of mediums."

Mr Buswell said there would also be a series of CBD road works starting in January as part of the package of initiatives and these would involve partial road closures and speed restrictions.

"Disruptions to some traffic flows are inevitable and I ask road users to please be patient during the months ahead as collectively these works will deliver real benefits," he said.

"Motorists should plan ahead, allow additional travel time or seek alternative routes where practical."

      Fact File

  • In 2012-13, Liberal-National Govt will be providing an unprecedented $162m to local government for road projects

  • In past four years, Liberal-National Govt has spent $4.004b on road network. This is $636m more than under the last four years of Labor

  • Widening of GFF tunnel and construction of additional traffic lane northbound on Mitchell Freeway - mid-January to Dec 2013. There will be weekend closures of the tunnel from March to April.  Works on the railway side of Mitchell Freeway start in mid-January with activity increasing from Feb to Dec 2013. The widening project will not impact on Lake Monger as additional lane is being provided on eastern side (railway side) of existing traffic lanes

  • Widening of Mitchell Freeway northbound between Hepburn Avenue and Hodges Drive - late January to mid-2013

  • Major CBD works include:

    • Mounts Bay Road - January 6-25 city-bound reduced to one lane only - Mill to William streets

    • The Esplanade - ongoing road works until late 2013. No westbound access - William to Barrack streets

    • Barrack Street - January to April. No northbound access - Riverside Drive to Barrack St

    • Wellington Street - ongoing until mid-2013. Single lane access in both directions - William to Barrack streets

    • Riverside Drive on-ramp to Kwinana Freeway ongoing until mid-2013. Lane narrowing and speed restrictions - William St to Riverside Drive

  • For real time traffic information, sign up to http://twitter.com/perth_traffic or visit http://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 6400