A map of the proposed Orange Route from Perth to Northam.
Camera IconA map of the proposed Orange Route from Perth to Northam. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Orange Route back on the road after Federal Government funding

Lynn GriersonHills Avon Valley Gazette

THE long-awaited Orange Route from Perth to Northam is back on the road again, with a $10 million windfall granted by the Federal Government to develop a project business case.

Plans to reduce heavy trucks through Mundaring, Sawyers Valley and Bakers Hill, as part of the Perth to Adelaide National Highway have been around for more than 40 years.

A network assessment in 2015 reviewed the proposal’s viability and work began on concept designs.

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Hasluck MHR Ken Wyatt said the Eastlink WA funding was a significant step.

“The ultimate development of the Orange Route will allow us to get the trucks off Greenmount Hill, providing a more efficient and safer east-west freight link,” he said.

“I have been working very closely on this with the Shire of Mundaring and the City of Swan and, more recently, with the Shire of Northam.”

The funding is part of a $420 million commitment to Hasluck transportation, announced last Friday by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The Orange Route would replace the Great Eastern Highway between Midland and Clackline, and replace Toodyay Road, between Roe Highway and Gidgegannup.

Heavy vehicles are required to break down their loads at Northam and continue their journey through residential areas.

Mr Wyatt said the current system compromised the safety of residents and communities.

The upgraded road and new highway section would allow road trains to enter the eastern area to access and break down at major distribution centres in Hazelmere and Forrestfield, without impacting on residential properties.

Transport operators would save time and cost by eliminating the need to undertake ‘dog-runs’ from the breakdown area in Northam back to Perth.

Other transport gains for Hasluck are:

  • $183 million for the Hale, Welshpool and Kelvin Road interchanges on Tonkin Highway
  • $144 million for the Roe Highway-Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchange
  • $83 million towards the relocation of Midland Railway Station
  • $10 million to develop the Eastlink WA Orange Route project business case

Crash Facts

Midland to Toodyay Toodyay Rd: 315 crashes 2012-2016: 7 fatal, 10 deaths 5 fatal crashes, head-on

Midland to Northam Great Eastern Hwy: 923 crashes 14 fatal in the past five years 6 fatal crashes, head-on

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