MANDURAH motorists are expected to benefit from the announcement of a widening project on the Kwinana Freeway southbound.
In a decision announced by assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs and Western Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder, traffic merging on to the Kwinana Freeway from Roe Highway would enter the major road by a separate independent lane.
Mr Briggs said the Kwinana Freeway Southbound Widening Project would address the significant congestion issues along the Freeway from Roe Highway to Armadale Road, including the Roe Highway westbound merge with Kwinana Freeway.
He said the project would significantly reduce congestion on Perth’s major southern arterial road and slash travel times for motorists heading south to Mandurah.
“The Kwinana Freeway southbound between Roe Highway and Armadale Road no longer has the capacity to meet today’s demands which is impacting on the economic output of Perth’s road network,” Mr Briggs said.
“This upgrade along with our other multi-billion dollar infrastructure investments like the Perth Freight Link and Gateway WA will unlock the productive capacity of Western Australia and create thousands of new jobs.
“Construction works are expected to commence in September 2014 and be completed in mid-2015.”
Western Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the corridor between Roe Highway and Armadale Road had experienced strong traffic growth, which was expected to continue.
“Large numbers of vehicles exit at Armadale Road, so the third southbound lane should improve the existing peak hour congestion conditions,” Mr Nalder said.
“Reducing congestion is vital to improving productivity, lowering business costs and improving the economy to create jobs.
“Construction of the third southbound lane along the 4.2-kilometre section of the freeway is similar to the previously completed section between Leach and Roe highways.
“While this important work will have a short term disruption on traffic flows, Main Roads will work with Lend Lease Engineering to determine the best way to maintain traffic movements for all road users.”
The $62million project is being jointly funded by the Australian Government and the WA State Government, with each committing $31m.
Under the proposal, the Kwinana Freeway southbound would remain as two lanes under the bridge at Roe Highway with the third lane adjoining from the Roe Highway on-ramp.
