Revised 26 October 2009
Current status
Scope
Indicative Scheme Plan
Community Engagement
Environmental Approvals
Why the Extension is required
Further information
The Government of Western Australia is committed to the extension of Roe Highway, from Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road.
On 19 August, Transport Minister Simon O’Brien announced the creation of the South Metro Connect team, comprising personnel from both Main Roads and its consulting industry partner AECOM, to manage the Roe Highway extension project development phase, which includes;
- continuation of the environmental approvals process;
- research and evaluation of environmental, heritage and social impacts; and
- the identification of potential alignment options.
This work is expected to take two years to complete. Timing for construction of the extension will be subject to funding and acquiring environmental and other regulatory approvals and clearances.
The detailed project scope will be defined largely through a comprehensive community and stakeholder engagement process to be conducted by South Metro Connect. A Strategic Coordination Group, comprising key stakeholders, including the Cities of Melville, Cockburn and Fremantle, has been established to provide governance, leadership and strategic direction for the project team.
The project scope is to extend Roe Highway from its current connection to Kwinana Freeway in Jandakot to Stock Road in Coolbellup.
The Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) includes a reserve for the Roe Highway Extension and the road alignment between North Lake Road and Stock Road is likely to be contained within the reserve.
The alignment of the extension between Kwinana Freeway and North Lake Road isn't constrained to the MRS road reserve and will be identified during engagement with stakeholders and the community.
A primary focus of this engagement will be to seek input on how we can minimise impacts on the environment, including Aboriginal heritage.
The project development phase will include traffic modelling and community engagement. A number of issues will need to be considered during this stage, including;
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the standard of the road (freeway or highway);
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number of lanes;
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whether it will be dual carriageway;
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the requirements for local road changes; and
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possible connections to the extension.
An Indicative Scheme Plan (1 page PDF 330 KB) is provided outlining the proposed alignment of the extension, which is subject to change.
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We recognise the natural environment in the vicinity of the Roe Highway Extension is highly valued. The highest levels of community engagement will be adopted to ensure sustainable outcomes are achieved through strong collaborative relationships.
We will implement innovative planning and design solutions and construction techniques, never before seen on Main Roads' projects.
These solutions will be developed in full participation with the community and key stakeholders, aiming to minimise environmental impacts in the immediate vicinity of the project and ensuring the surrounding environment is enhanced, as part of the project.
Innovative techniques will also be adopted to respect Aboriginal heritage sites and other social values.
South Metro Connect has recently commenced community and stakeholder engagement.
Further advice on specific community engagement activities will be provided via community newspapers, project newsletters and this website and a new project website currently being established.
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The project was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority for determination of the level of assessment and the level has been set at Public Environmental Review. Several appeals were lodged. An outcome from the appeals has not yet been received.
The project has also been referred to the federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Roe Highway forms a strategic link in Perth's road network, running between the Great Northern Highway in Midland and the Kwinana Freeway in Jandakot.
It functions as a high quality ring road, allowing north-south traffic to bypass the Perth CBD and the inner northern and eastern metropolitan suburbs.
The extension of Roe Highway from its current terminus at Kwinana Freeway west to Stock Road will result in significant traffic congestion relief to parallel east-west links including South Street and Leach Highway.
The heavy traffic volumes along these routes generate, under existing traffic conditions, major safety, noise, truck movements and accessibility problems for local residents and businesses.
The extension will remove most of the heavy haulage trucks from Leach Highway east of Stock Road and, with Stock Road, will form part of the key freight routes to the existing Fremantle Inner Harbour and proposed Outer Harbour at Kwinana.
It will also allow trucks to bypass Kwinana Freeway between Roe and Leach Highways. This is seen as a major benefit as managing traffic congestion on this section of the freeway (which is primarily a light vehicle road) is a significant issue.
There are no current plans to extend Roe Highway further west from Stock Road, however the need for improved east-west links to the rapidly growing Cockburn Coast area is recognised.
For further information please visit the South Metro Connect website at www.southmetroconnect.com.au.
Telephone: 1800 132 572
Email: enquiries@southmetroconnect.com.au
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