First phase for the dualing of the Narrows Bridge begins

27/11/98

The first phase for the dualing of the Narrows Bridge has begun, with preliminary earthworks getting under way today.

Over the next eight weeks trucks will place 66,000 tonnes of sand alongside the Freeway in South Perth and in the Narrows interchange to surcharge and consolidate the approach road embankments for the new bridge.

A $882,000 Main Roads contract has been awarded to CSR Ltd to carry out the cartage work which will continue until mid-January but there will be no interruptions to peak-hour Freeway or bridge traffic.

"We are putting strict controls in place to minimise disturbances to local residents and visitors to the foreshore," Transport Minister Murray Criddle said.

"This preliminary work is necessary because the existing Narrows Bridge was built in the 1950s on land reclaimed from the river.

"The approach roads and abutments to the bridge are on land which is underlain by a layer of very soft mud which is still subject to movement. Surcharging allows consolidation of the layer of mud below and will help reduce movement once the new approach roads and structures are in place."

Mr Criddle said the main contract for design and construction of the second bridge was expected to be awarded in March.

"The primary benefits of the Narrows Bridge project will be improvements in public transport, by providing two dedicated bus lanes across the bridge and extending along the Freeway to the park 'n' ride station at Murdoch," he said.

"This dedicated bus transitway will dramatically improve bus service reliability and travel times and therefore encourage more people onto public transport.

"At the same time, Main Roads has identified an opportunity to reduce congestion and crashes on the bridge by improving the current problems of lane changing and merging.

"An extra traffic lane will be added in each direction to solve these problems and improve traffic flow and safety."

Mr Criddle said the two bridges would each carry six lanes, one of which would be a dedicated bus lane. The existing bridge carried seven lanes, but this would revert to six extra-width lanes to improve safety and driver comfort.

The Minister said the Narrows Bridge project was scheduled for substantial completion by the end of 2000.

Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9 321 7333

or Dean Roberts, Main RoadsWA 041 990 7230