Stage four of Roe Highway opens early

1/12/02
Stage four of Roe Highway will be officially opened this morning, a month ahead of schedule and fulfilling a Labor election promise to have the road completed by the end of this year.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the road would now provide a direct 22km journey from Midland through to the Kenwick Link, and when Stage Five opened in the near future, this would extend to Nicholson Road.
"This will be particularly important for the freight industry moving to industrial and port sites in the south-west metropolitan area," Ms MacTiernan said.
"After just 21 months in government, we have delivered on our promise to have Roe Highway Stage Four built."
Roe Highway was completed to Welshpool Road in July 1994. Traffic, as a supposedly interim measure - was effectively channelled into Albany Highway via William Street.
"The residents of this local street were told that they would only have to put up with the traffic burden for a year or two," the Minister said.
"The arrangement ended up extending more than eight years and resulted in traffic increasing to more than 30,000 vehicles per day."
Local member for Roleystone Martin Whitely said it was a fantastic day for the people of Kenwick and Beckenham.
"To see this project open is a major feat for my constituents," Mr Whitely said.
"They have played a major role in the delivery of this project and their patience and dedication has been remarkable."
Pedestrians and cyclists also have been catered for, with improved, safer facilities.
These include the Kenwick Link underpass connecting the shared paths built the length of the new highway.
Landscaping and revegetation have also formed part of the extension; with artists installing a series of works inspired by the Aboriginal and European history in the Perth basin area.
"Stage Four is an important part of the Government's strategy to reduce the impact of freight traffic in Perth's southern suburbs by improving access to and from the industrial areas of Canning Vale, Kewdale and Welshpool," Ms MacTiernan said.
Some Commonwealth Government funds originally allocated for Roe Highway stages six and seven have been redirected to this project and the State Government thanks the Commonwealth for its co-operation in this regard.
Construction work on Stage Six is expected to start in January 2003, with completion scheduled by mid-2004. Stage Seven is due to commence in 2004 and will complete the link between Midland and the Kwinana Freeway.
Minister's office: 9213 6400