Updated October 2009
Current Status
Schedule of Works
About the Project
Noise Mitigation
Public Art
Construction Reference Group
Planning for the Future
Project Publications
Locality Map
The temporary roundabout at the intersection of Roe and Great Northern Highways will be open from Sunday 1 November until late December 2009 when the new traffic lights will become operational.
The roundabout will allow Macmahon to continue working at the intersection without closing the road to motorists.
(You can download the image (JPG 263 KB) of the roundabout to view the detail more clearly)
Some delays can be expected so please slow down and adhere to signs and drive with care at all times.
Motorists who usually travel through this intersection have the option to use Oakover Road, Campersic Road and Toodyay Road when travelling between Great Northern Highway and Roe Highway.
This alternative route, pictured below, is only suitable for light vehicles.
(You can download the image (JPG 108 KB) of the map to view the detail more clearly)
Construction has commenced on the extension of Reid Highway from West Swan Road to Great Northern Highway following the awarding of a design and construct contract to Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd in August 2008.
Environmental studies have now been completed. These studies examined the likely impacts on biological, air and noise quality, acid sulphate soils, contaminated sites and involved consultation with Aboriginal groups, Swan River Trust and Bush Forever in order to update the project's environmental approval, provided by the Minister for Environment in 1995.
Community consultation via a Community Working Group comprising Main Roads, City of Swan and community representatives have worked through some of the local issues raised. The CWG recommended as part of the proposed works an alternative local access option providing direct access onto Reid Highway via left in/left out intersections and a mid-block road underpass connecting service roads. This option was endorsed by the City of Swan and Main Roads. Alternative access via West Swan Road will be required once Reid Highway acquires freeway status.
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Geotechnical investigations have been undertaken and detailed design work is nearing completion. General earthworks for the highway and construction of the service road are now underway and preliminary work for the new bridge has also begun.
The project is expected to be completed and open to traffic by March 2010.
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The project will involve the construction of 2.6 km of dual carriageway between West Swan Road and Great Northern Highway in Middle Swan with left in, left out off both Reid Highway carriageways adjacent to Bandyup Prison; provision of a service road south of the highway; and a road underpass connecting the new service road with the western section of the existing Middle Swan Road.
A new road bridge will be designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic and a separate shared path facility. The bridge height and length are largely determined by the need to design for a 100 year flood event and ensure that backwater stays within acceptable limits. This will require the removal of the existing Whiteman Bridge. The alignment of the bridge will be designed to tie into the ultimate alignment particularly with respect to the future grade separated interchange of Great Northern Highway and Reid Highway. In order to meet the design requirements it is likely that the bridge length will be nearly 230m long and some 5m higher than the existing Whiteman Bridge. Provision has been made for one of the sets of piers to be placed in the Swan River provided it allows for passage of river craft and other environmental requirements.
Following the removal of the existing Whiteman Bridge, Middle Swan Road is to be closed either side of the Swan River.
The project will also include modifications to the existing signalised Great Northern Highway / Roe Highway / Reid Highway intersection to cater for current and future traffic.
The most significant changes to the intersection are:
- Provision of an additional right turning pocket for westbound vehicles turning right from Roe Highway onto Great Northern Highway
- Provision of an additional right turning pocket for eastbound vehicles turning right from Reid Highway onto Great Northern Highway
- Provision of an additional shared right turning pocket for southbound vehicles turning right from Great Northern Highway onto Reid Highway
- Lengthening of all turning pockets to provide adequate storage.
The bridges on Great Northern Highway immediately north of the intersection will be widened to allow for improvements in vehicle storage prior to the signals and improve the level of service for all vehicles on Great Northern Highway including those turning left onto Roe Highway.
Development of the industrial areas and residential estates in the north and north-east of the city have increased traffic load on all major arterials and some local streets to undesirable levels.
The new road will provide the following benefits:
- Improve access to areas of potential employment and residential growth in the middle and outer suburbs of Perth.
- Improve the safety and remove the potential conflict of vehicles travelling in opposite directions and/or turning on or off the highway by modifying road geometry, providing separated dual carriageways and limiting driveway access.
- Reduce congestion and encourage the use of the Reid Highway as an alternative to other east-west routes in the area by providing a faster and more direct route with fewer stoppages. In the process this will reduce transport cost for all motorists and reduce vehicle emissions.
- Reduce freight costs by providing a more direct route to, and from, industrial areas at Canning Vale, Jandakot, Kwinana and Kewdale and sea and air facilities at various locations.
- Improve amenity in adjoining suburbs by removing through traffic from residential streets.
- Provide safe passing opportunities for motorists who are delayed by slower and/or heavier vehicles.
- Provide a safe and adequately wide heavy vehicle route.
- Provide improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists (constructing dual use paths and footpaths or widened shoulders).
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A noise impact assessment based on the preliminary design has been undertaken and shows that a noise wall will be required adjacent to the residential area west of Bandyup Prison to ensure noise levels fall within the guidelines provided by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Other noise mitigation measures will be necessary for individual properties along the route to ensure that the allowable noise levels are not exceeded.
Use of asphalt along the entire length of the new highway will also help to minimise road noise.
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The design and construction contract has included opportunities for public art to be incorporated within the works. This could be used in the enhancement of the Middle Swan Reserve and the noise wall.
A Construction Reference Group (CRG) comprising many of the members of the Community Working Group and other special interest groups will be consulted throughout the life of the project. This group will provide representative community and stakeholder input to the design and construction process, provide issue-specific liaison in delivering the project and communicate project matters to, and from, relevant community and stakeholder groups.
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The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is finalising the ultimate design for the section of Reid Highway from Lord Street to Great Northern Highway, which allows for a six lane freeway with grade separated interchanges, to include provision for a public transport system in the median and revised diamond interchange at the intersection of Great Northern Highway. These changes have been endorsed by the City of Swan and the Transport Planning Committee of the Western Australia Planning Commission.
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Locality Map - Reid Hwy from West Swan Rd to Great Northern Hwy (JPG 328 KB)
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Useful Links
Macmahons project website: www.reidhwyswan.com.au