HUNDREDS of Bayswater and Ascot residents have scored a win in securing noise walls to block noise from the Tonkin Highway Gap project.
The Main Roads project aims to eliminate the current bottleneck for highway traffic by increasing lanes and upgrading intersections.
The design concept features upgrades to the Guildford Road and Great Eastern Highway interchanges, providing at least three lanes between Stanton Road and Collier Road, new bridges over the Swan River, Railway Parade and the Midland rail line and Guildford Road.
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READ NOWA principal shared path and a pedestrian bridge is also being developed.
Works will help reduce impacts on Tonkin Highway once construction for the Metronet Morley to Ellenbrook Line starts.
Maylands MLA Lisa Baker delivered a grievance in the Lower House to which Transport Minister Rita Saffioti responded by giving the assurance the noise walls would be built on October 31.
A petition with more than 280 signatures formed by Bayswater resident Colin Trigg was tabled by East Metropolitan MLC Alanna Clohesy in the Upper House.
Mr Trigg said some residents had not received adequate noise walls since the highway was completed more than 30 years ago.
“The main concern of residents is for adequate and modern noise walls to be installed,” he said.
“Considering existing noise levels and the expected NorthLink WA completion, it appears road trains will now increase on this route.
“Best practice seems to be noise-absorbing sound walls combined with vegetation”
Ms Baker said residents wanted effective sound barriers to be installed on both sides of Tonkin Highway.
“Residents living alongside Tonkin Highway who will be impacted by the new works see this as vital to retaining their quality of life and the ongoing harmony of their suburb,” she said.
Ms Saffioti said Main Roads would engage with the community once an alliance contract team was in place by mid-2020.
“Noise walls and other noise mitigation measures for the Tonkin Gap project will be included,” she said.
The Environmental Protection Authority has ruled a formal assessment for the proposed clearing of 88 trees, up to 19.7 ha of suitable black cockatoo forging habitat and 20.2 ha of potentially suitable black cockatoo roosting habitat was not required.