Kick-off for $89 million Roe Highway earthworks

24/8/01
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today marked the start of major earthworks on the Roe Highway extension between Welshpool Road and Nicholson Road with a commemorative dig at the Kenwick Link interchange.
Ms MacTiernan, along with Roleystone MLA Martin Whitely and representatives from two residents' groups, went on-site to witness the start of major earthworks between the Kenwick Link and Canning River bridge area.
"The progress of this major infrastructure project is a significant milestone for this Government, which will ensure that the highway is complete to the Kenwick Link by December 2002, with the section to Nicholson Road following in late 2003," the Minister said.
"Construction work on the highway between Welshpool Road and the Kenwick Link will be completed first to provide much needed relief from traffic for residents in Beckenham and East Cannington.
"Work to build the roundabout at the Nicholson Road and High Road intersection will also start soon and be complete early next year providing significant improvements to traffic flow and safety at this location.
"Leighton Contractors has been working on the project design since being awarded the contract in May and is now progressing to major construction works with a focus at the Canning River crossing.
"Other work being carried out at many locations along the eight kilometre alignment includes clearing vegetation and preparing ground conditions for road construction."
Ms MacTiernan said noise wall construction along the alignment would also begin in the coming weeks.
The new walls would ensure residents adjacent to the highway were protected from traffic noise when the highway was completed.
The Minister reassured the community that the works were being undertaken in an environmentally sensitive manner, with action plans in place to manage clearing works.
She said environmental works undertaken at the Welshpool Road end of the project had seen an artificial wetland constructed near Station Street. Other areas to be protected include the Brixton Street Wetlands and Canning River area.
Ms MacTiernan said the State Government had paid an additional $200,000 to finance detouring of some sand fill on to Nicholson Road, particularly in the first phase of earthworks. This would help alleviate some of the disturbance for William Street residents.
The Member for Roleystone, Martin Whitely, said the project would provide an important addition to transport facilities for the southern and eastern metropolitan areas.
Mr Whitely said it would provide a long-term asset promoting residential and commercial growth through these areas, while enhancing access and safety for road users and residents.
Residents and business people in the vicinity of the project would be updated on project progress regularly with newsletters, information sheets and advertising in local newspapers.
Media contact: Keri Welham 9213 6400