The ongoing transformation of Western Australia’s Mitchell Freeway has reached another highlight, with the construction of the new smart freeway systems complete.
Over the next six weeks, more than 1400 pieces of technology including road sensors, on-ramp signals, CCTV cameras, incident detection sensors, digital signs and overhead gantries will be tested and commissioned.
Smart freeways utilise the latest technology to collect and analyse large amounts of data to monitor and respond to traffic conditions in real time – keeping traffic flowing safely and smoothly.
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The announcement means the majority of traffic management and diversions on the Mitchell Freeway southbound will be removed and speed limits return to 100kmh.
Traffic management and diversions will remain in place around the Stephenson Avenue Extension project, which is currently expected to be completed in the middle of next year.
Perth’s newest Smart Freeway is part of the transformation of Mitchell Freeway, which began in July 2023 with the opening of the Mitchell Freeway Extension to Alkimos.
As part of the Smart Freeway project, a third southbound lane opened from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue in May this year – with commuters now saving up to three minutes during the morning commute from Hester Avenue to Warwick Road. The WA government says the addition of smart freeway systems will see that time saving grow to seven minutes for the roughly 60,000 cars that commute each morning.
The Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound will feature new traffic signals on all 16 on-ramps, helping filter traffic onto the freeway and make merging smoother and easier, 23 overhead gantries with lane-use and variable-speed signs to let drivers know what speed to travel, what lanes to use and if there’s an incident or accident ahead, and digital message signs to inform motorists of traffic conditions in real time for safer and more reliable journeys.
“Our government is focused on ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with our growing population and this project is a great example of that,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“By using technology, we can make journeys safer, smoother and faster for everyone, particularly at merge points where vehicles join the freeway.
“Merging is always a hot topic at the dinner table of Western Australian households, and I am happy to say this new technology should make that process a bit easier.
“More than 190,000 motorists use the Mitchell Freeway southbound every single day, and when these new systems are up and running, they’ll see time savings of around seven minutes during morning peak.
“I want to thank the community for their patience. I know the delivery of freeway works can cause frustration, but we will see big improvements before the end of the year including the removal of traffic management and the return of 100kmh speed limits.”
Mitchell Freeway southbound is Perth’s second Smart Freeway, with the first Smart Freeway operating on Kwinana Freeway northbound since August 2020 as motorists continue to experience a safer journey and save up to six minutes on their journeys between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge to the city during the morning commute.
The $209.6 million Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound and $214 million Hodges to Hepburn widening and shared paths projects are jointly funded by the federal and Western Australian governments.