The Murdoch Drive Connection plan is a disappointment, says Cockburn deputy mayor Matthew Woodall
Camera IconThe Murdoch Drive Connection plan is a disappointment, says Cockburn deputy mayor Matthew Woodall Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Opinion: Murdoch Connection will worsen problem

Matthew Woodall, Deputy Mayor MelvilleFremantle Gazette

I refer to the final concept design for the Murdoch Drive Connection (MDC) as announced ON January 22, 2018.

It is disappointing that this design appears to have the effect of limiting traffic through the City of Cockburn and instead forcing it into the City of Melville.

In particular, I am concerned that Farrington Road east of the Kwinana Freeway will continue to be used as a rat-run by people travelling in an east-west direction.

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I note that traffic modelling shows the design will result in an additional 4000 vehicles per day on Farrington Road in Leeming compared to the original Main Roads design.

Congestion in Leeming is already severe due to the use of Farrington Road to both access and exit Roe Highway.

The proposed design will only worsen this problem and cause significant difficulties for those residents of Leeming south of Farrington Road.

If the proposed design is implemented as planned, congestion in Leeming will continue to worsen and cause further disruption to residents.

I have received a significant volume of correspondence from Leeming residents who are concerned about congestion and the impact of the proposed design.

The proposed design could easily be modified by providing for two-way access between Bibra Drive and the MDC, and Farrington Road and Murdoch Drive.

This would practically eliminate the need for vehicles travelling either east or west to use Farrington Road in Leeming to access or exit Roe Highway via Karel Avenue.

It would also generally improve traffic flow by providing multiple routes for traffic, thereby avoiding bottlenecks.