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No start in sight to road work

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

Works to realign the western section of the road in Neerabup and build a junction with traffic signals were originally due to finish last July.

But the project stalled last year and contractors Brierty Limited moved off site. The City has been unable to provide a revised completion date as recently as March.

Wanneroo MLA Paul Miles told the Times he has asked that Main Roads take over the project "to ensure that the works are completed in a timely manner".

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"This intersection has been a safety hazard and road safety black spot for many, many years," he said.

"These continued delays are simply not good enough.

"Funds were initially allocated to improve the intersection under Main Roads" 2006-07 State Black Spot Program and some eight-plus years later, works have still not been completed.

"If Main Roads has control of the project we will now be able to begin the works in October 2015, much sooner that the City of Wanneroo would have been able to do."

A confidential update on the stalled roadworks is on tonight's Wanneroo City Council meeting agenda.

Last month, councillor Norm Hewer asked if Main Roads had put back installing the signals to allow for the extension of Neerabup Road to Wanneroo Road.

Acting infrastructure director Harminder Singh said the City was negotiating with the contractor to resume work, and he hoped to have a re-commencement date after a meeting with them on May 1.

Cr Hewer also asked if Wanneroo Road would be a dual carriageway from Joondalup Drive to Hall Road.

Mr Singh said Main Roads advised the City it would upgrade Wanneroo Road as part of the Mitchell Freeway extension project to a dual carriageway between Hall Road and the existing Flynn Drive connection.

"Main Roads WA has also indicated that further information regarding the rest of Wanneroo Road south to Joondalup Drive will be provided in the future," he said.

The Times understands there is verbal agreement for the project management to change hands, and the Mitchell Freeway extension builder, Leighton Contractors, would complete the works.