Since Graham Farmer Freeway opened, traffic volumes on Orrong Road have increased significantly. It often operates at capacity, with up to 65,000 vehicles per day carrying around 85,000 people.

Congestion along Orrong Road/Graham Farmer Freeway costs our local economy up to $49.5 million every year in lost productivity. Congestion on this stretch of road is expected to increase as population and traffic volumes continue to grow.

In 2019, Main Roads undertook a planning study which proposed a design which featured a lowered expressway between Leach Highway and Great Eastern Highway. The design allowed traffic to travel unimpeded by signalised intersections. Local road connections were maintained by constructing surface roads over the expressway at designated intersections.       

Several options were considered to determine the proposed design and public consultation on the preferred concept was undertaken during 2019.

The 2019 planning study was a long-term plan, designed to improve safety by eliminating conflict between regional and local traffic, but included impacts to adjacent properties along the corridor.

The Western Australia Planning Commission supported the 2019 concept and a Planning Control Area (PCA) was put in place to protect the proposed road corridor.

To view more information regarding the PCA, click here.

We are looking to work with community and stakeholders to consider a broader range of options, including the lowered expressway proposed in 2019, through a more participative community engagement process which will incorporate a diverse range of people and a place-based approach to road design.

2019 Project Publications

• YouTube: Orrong Road future concept – 2019
• 2019 Engagement Summary - March 2020
• 2019 Consultation

Note: The above documents will help inform the current engagement but the panel’s work will explore various options before arriving at an agreed concept design.