The City of Swan is commencing construction on a new roundabout in Ballajura to improve traffic flow and road safety, thanks to funding from the State Government.
The new roundabout, which will be located at the intersection of Hepburn Avenue and Bellefin Drive, was funded after community feedback and a traffic assessment which highlighted increasing congestion in the area.
City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said traffic engineering showed the roundabout would help solve road congestion, and promote continuous traffic flow to get our community to their destinations safely and on time.
"We are thankful to the State Government for partnering with us in this project, and providing $1.9 million in construction funding," he said.
"Our traffic assessment highlighted the need for a solution to increasing congestion, which reflected feedback from local residents and road users about their experiences at this intersection."
"Traffic modelling shows average delay times are expected to reduce by 96 per cent in the year after construction, which will make a significant difference to people doing business in the area and getting home on time."
Member for West Swan Rita Saffioti MLA said she was pleased to have secured the $1.9 million for the new roundabout.
"Last year I hosted a meet your local member event for Ballajura residents where concerns for the Hepburn Avenue and Bellefin Drive intersection were raised," she said.
"As a result of consultation, I advocated on behalf of local residents to secure $1.9 million in funding through an election commitment for the installation of a roundabout.
"The project is an important election commitment and will reduce wait times and improve road safety for regular commuters and residents of Ballajura."
The City's traffic assessment showed an increase in reported crashes in the past five years, and a steady rise in traffic, partially due to a new exit onto Hepburn Avenue from Tonkin Highway.
Traffic volume per day has increased by almost 80 per cent from 2017 to 2019 on Hepburn Avenue, with traffic on Bellefin Drive jumping by almost 50 per cent from 2015 to 2019.
These increases are mostly due to a growing population in the City of Swan region, with Hepburn Avenue a major connecting road for several residential developments. The roundabout is scheduled for completion by October.
Pictured above left to right: Whiteman Ward Councillor Mel Congerton, Member for West Swan Rita Saffioti MLA, City of Swan CEO Jeremy Edwards, Mayor Kevin Bailey, and Whiteman Ward Councillor Bryce Parry turning the sod on site.
