The Infrastructure Australia Audit Report on Urban Transport Crowding and Congestion has validated the McGowan Government's record investment in roads and public transport infrastructure, such as METRONET.
Released today, the report highlights a 77 per cent reduction in the forecast annual congestion costs compared to the previous audit in 2015.
Importantly, Perth no longer has any roads predicted to be among the top ten worst congested roads in the country in 2031, compared to seven in the last audit under the previous Liberal National Government.
The McGowan Government's decision to invest in transport infrastructure where it is most needed, along with population changes, has been credited as key factors for change in this year's improved audit.
Transport corridors that Infrastructure Australia has identified to be the most congested in Perth have upgrades either underway or funded, including Mitchell Freeway, Kwinana Freeway, Tonkin Highway, Wanneroo Road and more.
Furthermore, the audit shows that investment in key targeted corridors, instead of Roe 8 and 9, is more effective in combatting congestion.
Over recent years, IA has significantly increased the number of WA transport projects listed on the national Infrastructure Priority List. In 2019, WA had 14 transport related projects or initiatives on the list, whereas in 2016 it only had seven.
Infrastructure Australia's latest audit does not include or consider some key stage one METRONET projects such as the Byford rail extension and Ellenbrook rail line in its modelling. It also did not factor in around $1.7 billion of road projects included in the McGowan Government's recent State Budget.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The forecast annual cost of congestion for Perth has decreased 77 per cent since the previous Infrastructure Australia audit in 2015.
"It has backed our priorities and it acknowledges this government is easing congestion.
"There is always more work to be done. That's why the McGowan Government is investing a massive $4.2 billion in roads and $4.1 billion on METRONET projects, contributing to lower congestion forecasts in 2031.
"Importantly, the transport corridors identified in the audit as requiring attention are where the McGowan Government is targeting its infrastructure investment
"A number of major road and rail commitments were not factored into the modelling of this latest audit so I am confident the next audit will also return more positive results."
