Improving West Coast Highway / Scarborough Beach Road - Pedestrian Safety
[22 January 2010]
In an effort to improve access to the beach area for cyclists and pedestrians, Main Roads in conjunction with the City of Stirling, have been undertaking road improvement works on West Coast Highway between Manning Street and Brighton Road.
Works stopped at Christmas to avoid the busy summer season and minimise impact on beach-goers and local businesses, however, due to significant pedestrian safety concerns that have been raised, Main Roads has been required to undertake urgent signal modifications at the intersection of West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road.
Concerns raised from pedestrians were relating to their safety when crossing the busy intersection, in particular that turning vehicles were not giving way to them as they approached the beach area.
Main Roads staff have made adjustments to the traffic signal timings to allow for more time to be allocated to the pedestrian phase, this should result in a safer crossing for pedestrian and cyclist traffic trying to cross the busy intersection.
Traffic using this intersection and West Coast Highway may experience delays due to the changes.
Weekend rail shutdown vital for major infrastructure project in the Peel Region
[15 January 2010]
A planned shutdown of the Rockingham to Mandurah train service over the next four weekends is critical to the construction of the $155m Mandurah Entrance Road project.
Acting Commissioner of Main Roads, Des Snook, said that the shutdown is required so that two tunnels can be constructed over the existing railway line as part of the project, which is due to be completed in December 2010.
“The short term inconvenience will be greatly outweighed by the significant future benefits Mandurah and the Peel region will experience once the Mandurah Entrance Road is complete,” Mr Snook said.
The new 6.5 km, four lane dual carriageway is being built to complete the vital link between the recently opened Kwinana Freeway in Stake Hill and the Mandurah city centre.
“The shutdown has been programmed to occur when rail patronage is at its lowest and a very comprehensive replacement bus service has been put in place to ensure passengers can continue to travel to Mandurah and the foreshore.
“Weekend patronage is around 1000 passengers lower in January than in February and March and it was determined that the lowest number of train passengers would be inconvenienced at this time.
“Access to Mandurah has not been restricted and in fact, the new highway has meant that Mandurah city centre is not as congested as it has been in previous Summers, making it an even more attractive place to visit,” he said.
Mr Snook said it was important to emphasise that weekday train services will not be affected so commuters and day-trippers making the most of the school holidays can still enjoy the convenient service of the Perth-Mandurah rail line. Only passengers travelling between Rockingham and Mandurah on the weekend will be impacted.
“I am confident that the change to public transport services will not have a major impact on tourism in Mandurah, however I do acknowledge local concerns and the State Government has committed to a very comprehensive media campaign to encourage visitors to the region,” he said.
Main Roads and the Southern Gateway Alliance will be spending around $160,000 over the next few weeks to advise people of the shutdown. The campaign will continue after the works have finished to make sure everyone is aware the train services are back to normal.
“It is also important to point out that as soon as Main Roads and the Alliance became aware of the Peel Tourism Association concerns we commenced discussions with the group and reviewed our management efforts – increasing advertising and providing additional bus services.
The State and Federal Government have invested significantly in the Mandurah-Peel region with two of the State’s largest infrastructure projects (the New Perth Bunbury Highway and now the Mandurah Entrance Road) being delivered/committed in the last three years.
“$105m has been directly injected into the local economy via local suppliers and contractors on New Perth Bunbury Highway. A further $10m has already been committed for local contracts on the Mandurah Entrance Road and around 200 jobs have been created for people who live in the Peel Region,” Mr Snook said.
For the duration of the closures there will be three replacement routes operated by multiple buses to transfer passengers between Rockingham and Mandurah.
- A return service from Rockingham Station to Mandurah Station via Warnbro Station.
- An express service from Rockingham Station to the Mandurah foreshore, returning via Mandurah Station – this will operate only from 9.00 am and 6.00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
- An express return service between Rockingham and Mandurah Stations – this will not operate between 9am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Normal timetabled train services will run between Perth and Rockingham.
Transperth staff will be located at both the Mandurah and Rockingham train stations as well as on the foreshore. Main Roads and SGA staff will also be available to assist.
The Public Transport Authority have also provided information about the works on their website at www.pta.wa.gov.au/NewsandMedia/MediaStatements/tabid/121/Default.aspx.
[12 January 2010]
The Public Transport Authority is undertaking further upgrades of the rail barrier between the railway line and the Mitchell Freeway northbound. A five week program of works between Hutton Street and Karrinyup Road begins on Saturday, January 16.
The works are similar to those undertaken in May last year on the southbound section of the Freeway near Stirling station.
Road users will need to prepare for changed traffic conditions and reduced speed limits along a 1.5 km section of the Mitchell Freeway (northbound) while works are underway to replace 600 metres of the existing barrier.
To ensure safety of workers and to allow an accessible worksite, the right emergency lane and the adjoining fast lane will be closed for the works period. The usual full number of lanes will be retained during the day by using the outer emergency stopping lane. Extra lanes may be closed as required off peak.
Your patience while these works are carried out is appreciated.
Any updates provided during the works can be found on our Freeway Works page.
[11 January 2010]
Residents and businesses are invited to join a Community Reference Group (CRG) to provide local input into a project to improve safety along Orrong Road.
We are undertaking a project to review Orrong Road from Great Eastern Highway, Rivervale through to Roe Highway, Welshpool in order to identify possible short to medium term safety improvement options for the link.
This review will assess current crash patterns and use micro-simulation modelling (Paramics modelling) to review traffic patterns for the area surrounding Orrong Road. It will examine a number of scenarios, such as changes to signal timing, introduction of new signals and changes to intersection treatments at specific locations along Orrong Road. The review will also look at long-term road layout and capacity issues.
Nominations for the CRG from business representatives and local residents within this area are welcome.
Current representatives from the City of Belmont, the City of Canning and the Town of Victoria Park are involved in this study to provide advice and make their concerns known. It's now time to engage the community and ensure they have an opportunity to provide their input to identify the issues and contribute to the solutions.
The CRG will bring a diverse range of perspectives to the process and provide the opportunity for local community input. Members will identify and clarify issues to ensure the most suitable outcome is achieved for the communities surrounding Orrong Road. The outcomes will then be presented to the communities around Orrong Road.
Participation in the CRG will be voluntary and the first meeting will be held in February 2010 at Main Roads in East Perth. It is expected that a total of three meetings will be required, and a meeting date and time will be confirmed once the list of CRG participants is finalised.
Interested parties must have lived in the area for a reasonable period of time, and have an understanding of local issues. You will need to obtain a copy of the CRG guidelines and nominate in writing. Please contact our Community Relations Consultant Carolyn Walker to receive this information by either:
Phone: (08) 9450 1445
Fax: (08) 9450 1261
Post: PO Box 178 Como 6952
Email: icwalker@vianet.net.au
Nominations close 31 January 2010.
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Office of Road Safety transferred to Main Roads WA
[9 December 2009]
As part of the Government’s review of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. the Office of Road Safety was transferred to Main Roads effective from 1 July 2009. While the Office of Road Safety is currently hosted by Main Roads, we will provide administrative support to enable the Office of Road Safety to function in the same manner as it had previously done within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Horseshoe Bridge Upgrade
[27 November 2009]
Perth’s Horseshoe Bridge will be closed from the 30 November to April 2010, from 9.30 am following the morning peak hour rush.
Main Roads urges road users to access the city via alternative routes. These alternative routes include the Sutherland Street Underpass and the Barrack Street Bridge, which has been temporarily converted to allow two southbound lanes into the City. The vehicle height clearance at Sutherland Street underpass is 3.7m, so vehicles over 3.7m will need to use Loftus Street.
To see the alternatives, please visit our Horseshoe Bridge Upgrade project page.
The project includes introducing one northbound and one southbound lane with a bus embayment on the bridge. This will meet the City of Perth’s goal to convert William Street to two-way traffic.
The current road surface on the Horseshoe Bridge is poor, and before any changes to the lane configuration can take place, a full concrete overlay and new running surface is needed to improve the ride and safety for vehicles in addition to prolonging the life of this significant structure.
Some demolition works are needed to remove the existing concrete deck prior to constructing the new deck slab, and these works will be undertaken at night to minimise the impact on Public Transport Authority staff located in the offices beneath the bridge.
The project requires the bridge to be closed to traffic, except peak period Transperth buses. Motorists will need to be patient and use alternative routes into the City.
Main Roads Confirms Highway Talks Were Held
[26 November 2009]
The Acting Commissioner of Main Roads WA Des Snook confirmed today that discussions had taken place on the prospect of creating road train turnaround bays on Great Eastern Highway (GEH), and that initial information provided by the agency to the Transport Minister in response to a parliamentary question was wrong.
Mr Snook said there had been discussions on the subject at officer level between Main Roads Goldfields-Esperance Region and regional staff at the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) immediately after the Boorabbin bushfires in 2008.
“Discussions were held in 2008 between Main Roads and DEC officers ahead of a Main Roads submission to the Federal Government for assistance in funding the construction of truck turnarounds on GEH,” Mr Snook said.
“The matter was again discussed amongst a range of issues at a meeting in October, 2009, attended by Main Roads, DEC, FESA, the WA Local Government Association and police on the broader issue of roadside bushfire mitigation.”
Mr Snook said the 2008 submission to the Commonwealth for funding for truck turnarounds was not successful.
He said a second similar submission this year was under consideration.
The submission is a part of a planned $11.6m in improvement works throughout the State, of which half is being sought from the Federal Government.
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[13 November 2009]
Main Roads recently launched its own Twitter page to provide timely information about incidents and events affecting the main road network, in the greater Perth area.
The publicly available service can be found at www.twitter.com/perth_traffic and has an RSS Feed facility available from the page.
The “Perth_Traffic” account has been established as a trial in an ongoing initiative to improve access to relevant road information to the public. The trial will run for a three month period, at which time it will be evaluated and a decision made on the future of Twitter as an effective communication tool to the public.
We therefore strongly encourage your feedback via our online feedback form or by email at enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au.
[13 November 2009]
Perth's best known traffic landmark, the Narrows Bridge, turned 50 today.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien was among a small gathering of people on the South Perth foreshore to mark the occasion. The group included the Western Australian Governor Dr Ken Michael, a former Main Roads WA Commissioner who worked on the Narrows Bridge construction project as a cadet engineer.
"The Narrows Bridge is more than a connection for people north and south of the Swan River, it is a major distributor point for traffic going into the Perth CBD, to the eastern suburbs via the Graham Farmer Freeway and to the western suburbs," Mr O'Brien said.
"Hence, it is the busiest piece of road in Western Australia, carrying more than 179,000 vehicles per day.
"The need for a crossing of the Swan River at South Perth identified by the colony as early as 1849, to improve travel between Perth and Fremantle and as an alternative to the longer road connection via the East Perth Causeway bridges.
"By 1954, traffic flow over the causeway had more than doubled in the five preceding years. By 1956 a design and location for the bridge was decided by government and construction began in August, 1957. Work was completed just over two years later on November 13, 1959."
The steel and concrete bridge cost £1.7m ($3.4m) and measures 1100 ft (335 m) with a 320 ft (97.5 m) central span. Construction involved designers and bridge contractors from Denmark and England in association with J O Clough and Son of Perth, now Clough Engineering.
"By 1998, the bridge was carrying over 155,000 vehicles per day, making it the busiest piece of freeway in Australia," Mr O'Brien said.
"The Richard Court Government allocated $70m to duplicate the bridge, increasing traffic lanes from seven to ten with dedicated bus lanes. The second Narrows Bridge opened in February, 2001 and the bus lanes were replaced with passenger rail in 2007 as part of the Perth to Mandurah rail project."
Also acknowledging the occasion was the Commissioner of Main Roads and Acting Director General of Transport, Menno Henneveld and the Acting Commissioner of Main Roads, Des Snook.
For the full media release from Transport Minister Simon O'Brien, please visit http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=132773.
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[2 November 2009]
Main Roads welcomed input from community and business representatives in identifying potential concerns regarding stage two of the Dampier Highway duplication last week.
The Dampier Highway Duplication Community Reference Group (CRG) met in Karratha with both local and Perth-based Main Roads staff and were instrumental in providing local input into the highway design.
Project Director Brian Norris said the project followed on from Stage 1A and 1B, and would involve design and construction of 12.3 km of a dual carriageway highway from Balmoral Road West to Burrup Road incorporating cycle lanes on both directions, as well as intersections along the way.
“The project involves several intersections, a new bridge at Seven Mile Creek, strengthening work and guardrail modifications at the existing bridge, minor improvements to pedestrian links and amenity and improvements to the existing two lanes of Dampier Highway, subject to funding,” Mr Norris said.
WA Police, Dampier and Karratha residents, Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce, local government, airport, Pilbara Development Commission and Burrup companies were represented on the CRG.
“The CRG was extremely helpful in providing input on current traffic conditions which will assist us in developing the right treatments at the various intersections and along the road,” Mr Norris said.
“They provided local knowledge on drainage and flooding issues, airport access requirements during construction, the need for traffic signals, lighting along the highway, emergency access and problems with accessing the highway at peak times.
“One of the key intersections is Dampier Highway/Burrup Road, and the CRG are providing input into assessing options for this area including realignment of Dampier Highway so that it continues straight into the Burrup Road.
“We were advised that motorists from side roads were extremely frustrated in trying to access the highway at peak times, and how traffic signals at possibly three intersections would alleviate the problems by providing a break in the traffic. Dampier residents were concerned that a stop sign at the realigned Burrup Road intersection would be the traffic control measure included in the project as part of the realigned Burrup Road intersection, but we believe traffic lights will provide them with a much safer and more efficient access.
“The CRG also advised that it considered that acceleration lanes near Dampier Salt essential for safety, and the local police indicated their support for reduced speed limits between Madigan Road and Rubbish Tip Road. We are also looking at using local contractors where possible during construction.”
The group will meet again prior to Christmas to further discuss the design and associated risks. Following this, a design will be finalized for presentation to the Dampier and Karratha communities for during a community consultation program to be conducted in the next few months.
For further information about the project please visit the Dampier Highway - Stage 2 page.
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[28 October 2009]
Businesses, community members and landowners are being invited to comment on a proposed reservation for the Geraldton North South Highway from Brand Highway to the North West Coastal Highway intersection.
Main Roads Manager Road Planning Lindsay Broadhurst said that consultation commenced this week and would continue until 20 November 2009.
This highway will provide an alternative, future north south regional road route for the Geraldton area, and aims to remove regional through traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, from the existing North West Coastal Highway and Brand Highway within the Geraldton city area.
Both the Brand Highway and North West Coastal Highway (NWCH) carry a mixture of light and heavy vehicles, and there are various residential and commercial activities along these routes. There is increasing conflict between regional and local traffic that is resulting in reduced safety, amenity and efficiency, making the road less suitable for heavy vehicles.
The southern section of the route between Brand Highway and Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor (currently under construction) will provide a high standard link to the Geraldton Port, Narngulu Industrial Area and the proposed outer Narngulu – Oakajee Infrastructure Corridor.
The planning process has included input from the City of Geraldton-Greenough, the Mid West Development Commission, the Department of Planning, Department of Environment and the Main Roads Mid West Region.
“There is no funding to build the highway at this stage – we are in the planning phase to define the reservation for the future highway,” Mr Broadhurst said.
The highway will be a four lane divided highway with a central median, with provision for pedestrian and cycling facilities, and a mixture of grade separated interchanges and at grade intersections with most existing side road connections. The highway is planned to have no direct frontage property access and limited side road access, which is a critical safety requirement.
Residents and businesses located near the reservation area will receive a brochure containing a comment sheet that is being sent through a local delivery service to all properties and businesses. Landowners affected by the reservation have received letters and a brochure, including an invitation to discuss the project with Main Roads staff.
“It is critical to remember that this is a planning study, so people need to understand that there are no immediate plans to construct the road. The aim is to set aside a road reservation in the local planning scheme for the future.”
For further information about the project please refer to the Geraldton North South Highway Alignment project page.
Perth hosts the ITU Long Distance World Triathlon Championships
[20 October 2009]
We would like to advise that several road closures will in place between 22 and 25 October to accommodate this years ITU Long Distance World Triathlon Championships.
In order for the event to be conducted in a safe manner, there will be a number of road closures in place. For a listing of these road closures please visit the Metro Works & Events page.
It is anticipated that this course will not significantly impede access to the City centre, with access points remaining open for all traffic north and south of the river.
Southbound Freeway traffic will be redirected to the Graham Farmer Freeway and Canning Highway for the duration of the closure, and our Variable Message Signs will be used as part of the traffic management for this event.
The event has around 1100 competitors participating from 20 different countries around the world and is predicted to attract around 5000 spectators.
For further information about the event please visit www.ldworlds.org.au.
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New highway will cut travel time for South West Travellers
[23 September 2009]
South West travellers will be able to use the new Kwinana Freeway extension and Forrest Highway this long weekend. The freeway extension and highway, which officially opened to traffic last Sunday, is expected to reduce the travel time from Perth to Bunbury by 30 minutes.
The new Forrest highway extends from the Kwinana Freeway extension in South Yunderup, around the eastern side of the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary joining the existing dual carriageway on the Old Coast Road near Lake Clifton.
The newly constructed 70.5 km of dual carriageway linking Perth and the South West, will bypass the heavily populated areas of Mandurah and Dawesville.
Road users intending to travel south are reminded of the following changes on the new highway:
- The 100 km/h speed limit continues from Safety Bay Road through to just south of Lakes Road. A 110 km/h speed limit then applies through to and including Forrest Highway and Old Coast Road;
- Six interchanges connecting to existing roads to provide safe access to Safety Bay Road, Karnup Road, Paganoni Road, Lymon Road, Lakes Road and Pinjarra Road.
For information about all access points to the new road, please view the:
- Eight rest areas have been provided on Forrest Highway, four in each direction. Toilet facilities have been provided at the rest areas located at Dorset Road. We have developed a Map of Roadside Facility Locations (1 page PDF 947 KB) to assist you on your journey.
- Driver Reviver services (including free tea, coffee and biscuits) will be in operation across the long weekend at the Dorsett Road Rest Area which is approximately 100 km from Perth.
Operated by Main Roads WA, Waroona SES and Roadwise, Driver Reviver will be in operation during the following times:
- Friday: 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm;
- Saturday: 7.00 am to 6.00 pm; and
- Monday: 7.00 am - 6.00 pm;
- Variable Message Signs installed on the new highway enabling the Traffic Operations Centre to alert motorists to delays caused by incidents or roadworks and to promote safety messages.
- 32 km of principal shared path for pedestrians and cyclists including underpasses at Safety Bay Road, Karnup Road, Paganoni Road, Lakes Road and Pinjarra Road; and
- 14 newly installed closed circuit cameras. Main Roads Traffic Operations Centre will be able to monitor traffic conditions on the new highway with the assistance of these newly installed cameras, together with aerial surveillance on Friday and Monday afternoons over the long weekend.
A reminder Double Demerits apply from midnight Thursday 24 September until midnight on Monday 28 September.
[9 September 2009]
To commemorate the historic opening of the new road, an official ceremony will be held at the Pinjarra Road interchange between 10.00 am and 12.00pm, prior to the opening to traffic later in the day.
The event will include family activities, such as face painting, petting zoo and rides. On the day, you can also participate in a community bike ride on the length of the 32 km extension between Safety Bay Road and Pinjarra Road.
Free shuttles will be provided to the event from the Mandurah Train Station, Pinjarra Junction shopping complex and the Baldivis Stockland complex for those travelling from Perth. (Please be aware that no onsite parking will be available).
So come, join the fun and help celebrate the opening of the largest ever infrastructure project in WA's history.
To register or for further information about the bike ride please visit the Cyclo Sportif website at http://www.cyclosportif.com.au/highway-bike-ride.htm.
For further information about the event please view our Opening Celebration - Kwinana Freeway Extension and Forrest Highway information sheet (1 page PDF 252 KB).
[27 August 2009]
Motorists travelling on the Freeways, South Street and around the Northbridge Tunnel will now see road safety messages displayed regularly on Main Roads’ Variable Message Signs (VMS’s).
In a new initiative developed by Main Roads, 23 fixed Variable Message Signs across the metropolitan area, are now used to display messages aimed at increasing driver awareness and promoting the principles of road safety.
Main Roads together with the Office of Road Safety and The Western Australia Police have combined their efforts to identify over 30 different key messages that address some of the major road safety issues such as speed, fatigue and seat belts.
Messages such as ‘Seat Belts Save Lives’, ‘Maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front’ and ‘Drivers look twice for motorbikes’ are just some of those that will be rotating weekly.
Craig Wooldridge, Manager of Traffic Operations and Services at Main Roads, said that he was extremely pleased with the feedback received so far from the initiative.
“We have already received a large number of positive and supportive responses from the public through our Customer Contact Centre since starting this initiative. This reflects that road users are taking notice of the messages out there.
“In developing this initiative we concluded that it would be most effective if messages were displayed from Friday through to Sunday in order to stay fresh in people minds over the weekend,” said Craig.
Main Roads’ welcomes all feedback on this new initiative, by contacting us on 138 138 or through our feedback form.
[9 July 2009]
As part of an ongoing review, we are changing the way we advise you of current road works, events, road closures and speed zoning changes to make it more interactive and helpful for you to find the information you are looking for.
The Roadworks Bulletin, which used to appear each week in the Sunday Times will now be provided through the Main Roads WA website with updates posted on a weekly basis. This change will also see the incorporation of any speed zoning changes across the metropolitan area.
We are currently working on several new innovative and cost effective ways in providing you with information on road works, events, road closures and speed zoning changes, which we hope to be functional by the end of 2009.
You can find these updates at the Roadworks & Road Closures page. We hope you find these updates easily accessible and welcome any comments or feedback on via our Complaints & Feedback form or on 138 138.
[9 June 2009]
A Community Reference Group (CRG) will be set up to assist Main Roads WA in the design of stage two of the Dampier Highway duplication.
Project Director Brian Norris said the works would follow on from Stage 1A and 1B, and involved design and construction of 12.3 km of a dual carriageway highway from Balmoral Road West to Burrup Road, and intersections along the way.
“One of the key intersections is Dampier Highway/Burrup Road, and we would like the CRG to have input into assessing options for this area. Dampier residents in particular may be interested in nominating for the group,” Mr Norris said.
“The project will also involve several intersections, a new bridge at Seven Mile Creek, strengthening work and guardrail modifications at the existing bridge, minor improvements to pedestrian links and amenity and improvements to the existing two lanes of Dampier Highway, subject to funding.”
Representatives of businesses, community groups and representative local residents in the Dampier and Karratha areas are invited to nominate for the CRG. Other stakeholders to be involved include Karratha Airport, a representative from Burrup companies, and the Shire.
The CRG will provide an opportunity for local community input into the project, which will then be presented to the Dampier and Karratha communities for consideration during a community consultation program to be conducted in the next few months.
Participation in the CRG will be voluntary and meetings will probably be held at date and time to suit participants. It is expected that the CRG will meet at project milestones, with the first meeting to be held in June 2009.
To receive a copy of the CRG guidelines, please contact Main Roads’ Community Relations Consultant Carolyn Walker by either:
Phone: (08) 9450 1445
Fax: (08) 9450 1261
Post: PO Box 178 Como 6952
Email: icwalker@vianet.net.au
For information about the current status of Stage 1A and 1B of the project please visit our Dampier Highway Stage 1B project page.
[17 April 2009]
The Premier has announced the creation of the new Department of Transport and the new Department of Planning from the restructuring of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
To find out more, please view the New Department of Transport Newsletter (2 page PDF 47 KB)
Heavy Vehicle Operations office has relocated
[19 January 2009]
Heavy Vehicles Operations has relocated to their new premises at 70 Pilbara Street, Welshpool (separate from Main Roads Materials Engineering Branch). Please note that our postal address, fax numbers and phone numbers will remain the same.
Normal business hours resumed 8.30 am, Tuesday 6 January 2009.
[15 December 2008]
A temporary speed limit reduction will be introduced along Orrong Road at the Pilbara Street intersection from 22 December 2008.
The speed reduction, from 70 km/h to 60 km/h, will be in place 300 m on the approach side to the Pilbara Street intersection and 100 m on the departure side of the intersection, until improvement works, including the installation of traffic signals at the Orrong Road / Pilbara Street intersection, are completed.
Complementing the speed reduction will be new larger intersection warning signs. The signage is aimed at raising driver attention to take care when approaching the intersection.
Main Roads spokesman Dean Roberts said the speed reduction was a temporary measure to improve safety for motorists until the complete redesign of the intersection is completed in early 2010.
“There has been one fatality here and we are more than aware of the potential danger of right-hand turns through this intersection,” Mr Roberts said.
“In fact we did look at the possibility of banning right-hand turns, but decided against it because it could worsen the situation by creating further frustrations with motorists, particularly in peak hour congestion, and a situation where some might try and ‘run the gauntlet’.
“We just urge motorists using the intersection to obey the new, lower speed limit, and be a bit more cautious and aware.”
Mr Roberts said there were unavoidable delays in starting and completing the $1.5m State Black Spot project to provide a fully signalised intersection at Orrong and Pilbara Streets.
The works involve widening in Pilbara Street to accommodate two exiting lanes. To widen the road, services such as high voltage power lines, gas and water pipes and optic fibre phone lines, need to be relocated.
“Main Roads is actively working with the service authorities to ensure that the services are relocated as quickly as possible,” Mr Roberts said.
“However, relocation works require design plans and the supply of materials and labour, which take a number of months to complete.
“It is expected that relocation works will be completed in the middle of 2009, enabling the road works to start in the spring of 2009 with completion scheduled for February, 2010.”.
Apart from road safety improvements, the new intersection should also result a greater level of connectivity for local businesses.
Future Integrated Services Delivery
The new arrangements for the provision of integrated asset management, network operations and road maintenance services will ensure the provision of these road management services after existing contracts expire. Find out more under Contracts > TNC Replacement.
Driver Speed Behaviours on the Western Australian Road Network
View or download our report on a series of surveys that measured changes in driver speed behaviours over time.
Drive Safely in 2009
Get the latest safety tips and penalty information from the Office of Road Safety and the Police Traffic website.