Road upgrades to Perth’s freeway system will begin this year to boost network capacity and accommodate population growth
January 14, 2013
Road upgrades to Perth’s freeway system will begin this year to boost network capacity and accommodate population growth.
Western Australia Transport Minister Troy Buswell says a third traffic lane in both directions through the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel will be built, along with an extra lane to the Mitchell Freeway northbound, from the tunnel to Hutton Street.
Buswell says another $30 million will be spent on widening the Mitchell Freeway between Hepburn Avenue and Hodges Drive from late January to mid-2013.
“These changes are a necessary part of planning for our increasing population and during this process of major transformation, disruption to traffic is inevitable,” Buswell says.
“As with last year’s widening of Kwinana Freeway between Roe and Leach highways, there will be some impacts on traffic movement on sections of the Mitchell and Graham Farmer freeways at various times throughout 2013.”
Buswell says there will be weekend closures of the tunnel from March to April. He says there will be partial road closures and speed restrictions in place in the CBD later this month due to road works.
“Disruptions to some traffic flows are inevitable and I ask road users to please be patient during the months ahead as collectively these works will deliver real benefits,” he says.
“Motorists should plan ahead, allow additional travel time or seek alternative routes where practical.”
Roads affected include Mounts Bay Road, the Esplanade, Barrack Street and Wellington Street.
