Plans to reserve land for Middle Swan-Wundowie national highway route

1/11/94

Plans to reserve land for a new national highway route between Middle Swan and Wundowie to alleviate future traffic and safety problems at Greenmount Hill were tabled in Parliament today.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis said the proposed Perth to Adelaide National Highway route would eventually replace Great Eastern Highway as the major road link to the Eastern States.

The new 40 kilometre route generally follows Toodyay Road between Middle Swan and Gidgegannup and includes a new alignment known as the Orange Route from Gidgegannup to the Great Eastern Highway, Wundowie.

Mr Lewis said the national highway proposal formed part of a major amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme which attracted 79 public submissions.

Support for the proposal is coupled with requests for early construction of the new highway to detour heavy vehicles away from Greenmount Hill.

"While the timing of the project has not been determined, it is important to set aside the land now to protect the route for its future use as traffic volumes increase," Mr Lewis said.

"Great Eastern Highway is the main gateway to Perth from the east and carries a mix of traffic, including heavy vehicles, interstate travellers and local traffic.

"The future mix and volume of traffic on this route, in particular where it descends at Greenmount through urban areas, is a recipe for disaster."

Objections to the new highway route include the potential impact on businesses and property access along Toodyay Road and the disruption to rural lifestyles, particularly at Gidgegannup.

Mr Lewis said the proposed new national highway would have a more favourable descent from the Darling Scarp than at Greenmount and would include a facility to arrest runaway trucks.

He said the higher geometric design standard, improved grade and alignment would increase safety for highway users.

Other features of the proposal include:

·       upgrading Toodyay Road to National Highway standards and providing a bypass around the Gidgegannup townsite;

·       fewer intersections and no direct access from private driveways to reduce conflict between local and through traffic; and -

·       reduced impacts on properties fronting Great Eastern Highway.

The eastern section of the proposed highway between Wooroloo and Wundowie lies outside the metropolitan boundary and does not form part of the amendment.

The amendment also recommends reducing the existing road reserve along Great Eastern Highway to reflect the function of the new route, although some widening will still be required to improve safety and accommodate increased local traffic.

Proposed modifications to reservations on Great Southern Highway and on Great Eastern Highway between Sawyers Valley and Wundowie were deleted from the amendment to allow for further review of the long-term road requirements.

Media contact: Tony Robertson 222 9595