Main Roads WA safety audit for $5M worth improvements to Wanneroo Rd

19/2/99

Transport Minister Murray Criddle said today that $5 million in improvements had been recommended by a Main Roads WA safety audit into Wanneroo Road.

The safety audit was ordered by the Minister following a series of fatal crashes over the last 16 months on the Neerabup section.

Mr Criddle said the Road Safety Audit had identified a variety of treatments that would improve motorist safety on Wanneroo Road, including passing lanes, intersection improvements, consistent speed limits, driveway access and signs.

"The audit has looked for anything on the road that could contribute to crashes or poor driver behaviour and was carried out north of the Wanneroo townsite from Pinjar Road to north of Yanchep Beach Road," he said.

"Local residents and members of the residents' action group were also interviewed by the safety audit team to help determine driver behaviour and how to address this issue.

"About 2km of dual carriageway is also proposed near Quinns Road from north of Hall Road to north of Gibbs Road, which will improve safety by providing motorists with significant passing opportunities during their journey.

"The preliminary cost for these works is estimated at $5 million, and Main Roads will now work on more detailed costings for all the treatments.

"Main Roads will also put together timeframes for project design and completion."

Main Roads, Police and the Wanneroo Shire Council will start looking at speed limits on Wanneroo Road next week, this will include analysing the consistency of speeds and providing more reminder signs for motorists.

Major intersections with Wanneroo Road at Carramar Road, Clarkson Avenue, Quinns and Yanchep Beach Road will also be upgraded to improve access, turning movements and overtaking opportunities for motorists.

Mr Criddle said the funding for the major works on Wanneroo Road was expected to be finalised soon so that design and construction could start in the 1998-99 financial year.

"The long-term objective is to complete the extension of Mitchell Freeway north which will relieve Wanneroo Road of much of its current traffic," he said.

"The extension of Mitchell Freeway should be the primary focus because it will cater for the bulk of traffic from as far north as Yanchep and I have asked Main Roads to investigate the potential for bringing forward plans to take the freeway to at least Hester Avenue-Quinns Road.

"The freeway extension would be a major financial commitment and we will be asking the Federal Government for input."

Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333