Leaders ramp up bridge push

THE second phase of a plan to link major hubs and address traffic congestion from the hills to the west coast has been ignited.

Labelled the “battle for Burt”, the Cities of Cockburn and Armadale are seeking Federal dollars to fund a new $160m bridge over the Kwinana Freeway to link Armadale Road directly with North Lake Road.

With a recent survey finding more than half of residents in Armadale would vote for a party committed to building the bridge, the two councils plan to use the upcoming Federal election to help secure the money.

The Community Connecting South (CCS) campaign, first launched by Armadale and Cockburn in the lead-up to last year’s Canning by-election, aimed to secure $290 million in funding to have Armadale Road upgraded to a dual carriageway between Verde Drive in Jandakot and Anstey Road in Forrestdale, and for a new bridge over the freeway.

The Federal and State governments committed half of that for the work on Armadale Road, but the bridge remains unfunded.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett argued that finishing the job was vital, with traffic issues at Cockburn Central having spread beyond peak periods.

More than 100,000 cars pass through the precinct every day.

“We are facing unprecedented population growth with 10,000 new homes and more than 20,000 people expected to move to the region in the next five years,” Mr Howlett said.

“We know from last year’s campaign that this is a major issue for residents, commuters and businesses and we call on all candidates in this election to finish the job and commit to funding of the Armadale Road Bridge.”

Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones said the proposed road upgrades would provide a massive boost for business in the area.

“Armadale Road connects people to jobs that are available via the freeway and coastal strip,” he said.

“Better connectivity will not only boost local business but create job opportunities and improve the social health of our communities.

“Traffic congestion is at breaking point. Unless something is done now it could well be too late.”

Labor candidate for Burt Matt Keogh:

“As we saw in the report only this week, the suburbs of Harrisdale, Forrestdale and Piara Waters are the housing growth centres of WA. That is putting enormous pressure on transport infrastructure.

That is why I have been working ever since the Canning by-election with the cities of Armadale and Cockburn about their plans so this project comes to fruition. It is so important for all of Perth.

It will bring over 1700 jobs to this area which is so important for when the mining boom comes to an end.

Liberal candidate for Burt Matt O’Sullivan:

I’ll be fighting hard to see a commitment from the Australian Government for this project to go ahead.

A $145m commitment has brought the road this close and we need to finish the job.

I will be approaching key government minsters to ensure we get the support to be able to build a road that is going to provide jobs and ensure to connect where people are at.

We need s safer and more efficient connection to the freeway and we need to be able to connect east to west .

This is what I will be campaigning on. This where the jobs are.