The McGowan Government is continuing with its congestion busting, job-creating program of road upgrades, with Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti on hand today to turn the sod on Mitchell Freeway widening works.
The newest freeway project will see an additional fourth lane added between Hutton and Cedric streets on the Mitchell Freeway, a well-known afternoon bottleneck for commuters with more than 70,000 trips made on this stretch of freeway a day.
The $16.5 million contract has been awarded to BMD Constructions Pty Ltd and will create and support local jobs.
The upgrades will also include a double exit lane to Cedric Street, new safety barriers along the verge and three new emergency stopping bays. Street lighting, CCTV and Vehicle Detection Stations will also be upgraded.
Works are expected to be completed by September 2020.
The McGowan Government is undertaking a massive transformation of Perth's freeways with more than $400 million committed to upgrading both the Mitchell and Kwinana freeways.
Projects include:
- The $47 million Smart Freeway project which will create an additional traffic lane between Canning Highway and the Narrows Bridge by utilising the emergency stopping lane as a full-time running lane, known as All Lane Running;
- The widening of the Kwinana Freeway northbound between Russell Road and Roe Highway ($49 million);
- The widening of the Mitchell Freeway southbound between Cedric and Vincent streets ($59 million); and
- Mitchell Freeway extension from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road ($215 million).
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"My Government is committed to creating local jobs and busting congestion across our suburbs, which is why we are investing more than $400 million into upgrades across the Kwinana and Mitchell freeways.
"This $16.5 million project will create approximately 50 jobs and expand the freeway to four lanes between Hutton and Cedric Streets, helping to get rid of the afternoon bottleneck.
"I use the freeway every day, travelling between Rockingham and Perth, and I know how important a smooth running freeway ride can be - it can mean getting home in time for dinner, dropping the kids off at school on time and making life just that little bit easier."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"More than 70,000 trips are made between Cedric and Hutton Streets down the Mitchell Freeway each day.
"Between 2013 to 2018, there have been 808 crashes along the Mitchell Freeway northbound between Powis Street off-ramp and Karrinyup Road on-ramp.
"Once complete, the additional lane will help ease congestion and improve traffic efficiency and road user safety.
"This is part of our broader range of freeway upgrades including widening the Kwinana Freeway northbound between Russell Road and Roe Highway and the widening of the Mitchell Freeway southbound between Cedric Street and Hutton Street."
As stated by Balcatta MLA David Michael:
"The section of freeway between Hutton and Cedric Streets on Mitchell Freeway is a well-known afternoon congestion point for local community members.
"Less time on our roads, means more time spent with family and friends.
"These upgrades are well overdue and I'm pleased to be a part of a McGowan Government who is delivering for the local Balcatta community."
As stated by Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski:
"Many Kingsley residents use the freeway daily to get to work, education and training or to see family and friends.
"There is nothing worse than being stuck in traffic - these upgrades will help ease congestion and make our roads safer for everyone.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what a difference these upgrades make when they are completed in September next year."
