The first of several major infrastructure projects that will help create Perth's second CBD - the Stirling City Centre - is now complete.
The Mitchell Freeway's new northbound lane between Cedric and Hutton Streets reached official completion today, enabling unimpeded access into the Stirling commercial hub.
The $16.5 million project created 50 jobs and will save drivers two minutes off their previous peak period journey - cutting travel time between Cedric to Hutton from eight minutes to six.
In the five years to December 31, 2019, there have been a total of 331 crashes recorded on Mitchell Freeway northbound between Hutton Street and Cedric Street, 68.9 per cent of which were rear-end in nature, suggesting congestion or driver inattention may have been involved.
The freeway upgrade is just one part of a package of works that will facilitate the development of the Stirling City Centre - a lively hub that will ultimately be home to 30,000 residents and 25,000 jobs.
The McGowan Labor Government is working with the Commonwealth and local governments to invest around $250 million to transform the area around Stirling City Centre into a METRONET-style hub, developed around key transport infrastructure such as road, rail and cycling connections.
Other works underway or in development to facilitate access to and from the Stirling City Centre include:
- $165 million towards Stephenson Avenue Extension Project with works underway on Stage 1 and Stage 2 to commence in mid-2021;
- $90 million upgrade of Stirling Bus Interchange; the project, jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth, includes upgrading the existing 18-stand facility to a 30-stand bus interchange, along with construction of a new pedestrian access bridge between Stirling Station and the southern car park. This will improve connectivity between the bus interchange and the station with the project anticipated to be completed by 2023;
- The $21 million Principal Shared Path extension Civic Place to Erindale Road.
This is on top of the $140 million Smart Freeway upgrade of Mitchell Freeway from Hester Avenue to Vincent Street, with a tender to be released later this week. The technology has had success along the Kwinana Freeway northbound, between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge, with motorists saving up to 10 minutes during peak hour.
The Stirling City Centre plan stretches from Karrinyup Road, along Cedric Street and Ellen Stirling Boulevard to Scarborough Beach Road including the Innaloo shopping precinct, Stirling train station and the City's Civic Complex.
The package of transport works underway will provide access to developable land for private investment in new homes, business and jobs.
Combined, the major infrastructure projects are creating and supporting 2,700 jobs.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Our northern suburbs continue to grow so it's important we deliver the infrastructure we need for tomorrow.
"We have a range of infrastructure projects underway or planned, worth almost a quarter of a billion dollars, which are anticipated to create and support more than 2,700 local jobs.
"Key projects include the Stephenson Avenue extension, Stirling Bus Interchange, and the roll out of the popular Smart Freeways technology."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"It's impossible to visit anywhere in Western Australia without seeing work being undertaken on our road and rail network - the popular Stirling City Centre is no exception.
"We have a range of major infrastructure projects - road upgrades, METRONET public transport and cycling - underway in the area that will create local jobs, ease congestion and help get people home quicker and safer.
"Today we have completed the latest project to upgrade the Mitchell Freeway - an additional northbound lane between Hutton to Cedric - that will save motorists time on their daily commutes and create easy access to major shopping centre precincts like Ikea."
As stated by Balcatta MLA David Michael:
"I am proud to be a part of the McGowan Labor Government which is delivering on local road projects.
"Driving around our local area, it has been impossible to miss the incredible amount of work going on to upgrade our local roads and intersections.
"All these upgrades mean less congested and safer roads, which means more time at home for local families."
