Murdoch Dr/South St intersection works to start

• $13m major upgrade of traffic flow to Fiona Stanley Hospital

Transport Minister Troy Buswell today announced the awarding of a $13million contract for the major upgrade of the Murdoch Drive and South Street intersection to Highway Construction Pty Ltd.

"The upgrade will ensure better access and flow to accommodate the predicted increase in traffic volumes expected once the new Fiona Stanley Hospital and Murdoch Activity Centre open in 2014," Mr Buswell said.

"The State Government is planning ahead for this growth, which predicts that by 2021 more than 50,000 vehicles a day will be using the South Street-Murdoch Drive intersection."

Work will include:

• An additional right turn pocket on the eastern approach on South Street and two additional right turn pockets on the southern approach on Murdoch Drive
• Increase other turn pocket lengths to accommodate the increased vehicle demand expected in 2021
• Provision of an extended left turn access from South Street eastbound onto Kwinana Freeways northbound on ramp
• Extended right turn access on the southern approach on Murdoch Drive northbound, from the entry to the St John God Hospital access road
• Associated drainage works
• Construction of amenity walls
• Relocation and/or protection of all services to facilitate road construction works
• Traffic signals and street lighting
• Pavement markings
• Landscaping and revegetation
• Public Art.

Construction will start next month, with completion planned for November 2013 - before Western Australia's new flagship hospital opens.

      Fact File

• The Main Roads Community Reference Group comprises the Friends of Quenda, Murdoch University, St John of God Hospital, Murdoch College, St Ives Retirement Village, the City of Melville and local community members. They will continue to work across the project
• New hospital, activity centre and existing institutions in area including - St John of God Hospital, TAFE and Murdoch University expected to generate about 35,000 jobs
• Fiona Stanley Hospital opens in 2014

Minister's office - 6552 6400