Work has now started to upgrade Perth's last remaining section of high-speed single lane highway to dual carriageway in Perth's north-eastern suburbs.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti today helped turn the sod for the four-kilometre dual-carriageway upgrade of Reid Highway between Altone Road and West Swan Road.
This project was funded through the redirection of funds from the flawed Perth Freight Link project when the McGowan Government was elected.
Modifications to the intersection of Reid Highway and West Swan Road will improve traffic flow and turning movements, while a new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will improve access to the Swan Valley and enhance local connectivity.
The Reid Highway duplication project will also include a new bridge over Reid Highway at Arthur Street to connect the growing communities of Caversham and Dayton, a priority of the City of Swan. The State Government has worked with the City of Swan to make the bridge part of the duplication works.
The bridge will enable alternative access for buses to cross Reid Highway and for residents accessing the primary school opening in South Caversham in 2020. Meanwhile, emergency vehicles will also be afforded an extra exit and entry point.
Widening this section of Reid Highway was a McGowan Government election commitment, which will join a range of other projects - either under construction or being planned - aimed at tackling congestion in the north-eastern suburbs.
These include New Lord Street, NorthLink WA, Morley-Ellenbrook Line, the 355 bus service and record investment in new shared paths.
Decmil Southern Pty Ltd was awarded the contract for the Reid Highway project, which will be the first to be delivered under the WA Industry Participation Strategy, ensuring local work and job creation.
The $77.5 million project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government ($56 million) and State Government ($14 million), with an additional $7.5 million contribution from the City of Swan towards the Arthur Street Bridge.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This project is the latest milestone in the transformation of the road network in Perth's north-eastern corridor.
"With NorthLink and New Lord Street approaching completion, we are slashing travel times for residents and commuters, paving the way for continued growth and investment in these suburbs.
"We look forward to seeing this project progress, delivering an efficient east-west route across Perth's north-eastern suburbs for local residents, commuters and the freight industry.
"We have been able to embark on a record number of road projects, including this Reid Highway upgrade, thanks to this Government's decision to stop construction of Roe 8 and redirect its funding to much more needed projects across the suburbs and regional WA."
As stated by Midland MLA Michelle Roberts:
"I'm so pleased this Government is eliminating the final section of single carriageway on Reid Highway between Marmion Avenue and Great Northern Highway, reducing congestion and improving safety at a well-known pinch point.
"The Arthur Street Bridge will complement Reid Highway and other major upgrades to improve local access for residents of Caversham and Dayton, relieving pressure on the intersection of Lord Street and Reid Highway."
As stated by City of Swan Mayor David Lucas:
"The Arthur Street overpass will connect communities in Dayton and Caversham, cutting travel times and improving accessibility to local schools and shops.
"The City of Swan committed $7.5 million towards the overpass in an effort to improve connectivity. I thank the Minister and the McGowan State Government for delivering this much needed infrastructure.
"The highway upgrades will improve safety for users and reduce the likelihood of head-on collisions, which have claimed six lives in recent years."
