A MAJOR upgrade to improve road safety and traffic flow along Gnangara Road west of Ellenbrook is set to open in the next month.
Premier Colin Barnett and Transport Minister Bill Marmion today officially opened the latest upgrade between Drumpellier and Alexander drives – an eight-kilometre, four-lane carriageway – completed in conjunction with the City of Swan.
“Gnangara Road is one of Perth’s busiest roads with more than 25,000 vehicles travelling along it every day,” Mr Barnett said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“The City of Swan asked the State Government to address its most important road upgrade project.
“We said we would and we have now delivered on that commitment.
“The volume of traffic using this route far exceeds the capacity of a single-lane carriageway.
“Through this project, the Liberal National Government has addressed growing congestion and safety, and ensured the future needs of Perth’s growing population can be met.”
Mr Marmion said Gnangara Road – which has had more than $33 million worth of upgrades since 2012 – provided a vital link in Perth’s transport network, linking Ocean Reef Road in Perth’s northern suburbs to Henley Brook in the east.
“Work on this road upgrade started in 2012 and has been completed in stages by the City of Swan,” the Minister said.
“The last stage has created up to 150 jobs for local people, and is expected to be open to road users in the next couple of weeks.”
Mr Marmion said the final stage of the project had included the installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of Gnangara Road and Beechboro Road North, which was a recognised Black Spot.
“This has been a dangerous stretch of road for many years and its completion will mean it will now be safer for road users, who can expect a reduction in their journey times as a result of improved traffic flow,” he said.
The Premier said the Government was now focused on its next major road project in the region – NorthLink WA – which would be completed by mid-2019.
“The project will provide a vital, state-of-the-art transport link between Morley and Muchea,” he said.
“It will also reduce travel times, congestion and provide significant productivity benefits to the economy, industry, motorists and the local community.”