A Main Roads official said recently during the State Parliament Budget estimation process that there was no intention to duplicate Lord Street – part of the Liberals’ Bus Rapid Transit plan.
Ms Saffioti said the Government had ignored the level of growth in the north-east corridor and failed to provide adequate rail and road infrastructure.
“Massive congestion is having a real impact on the lives of residents living in Henley Brook, Brabham, Dayton and Ellenbrook,” she said.
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READ NOW“I have repeatedly stated that (the) only option is a full upgrade of Lord Street – this must include a duplication of the road.”
However, Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban said the decision was a result of neglect by former Labor governments.
“Under the last two governments, not a single road improvement was undertaken in the region,” he said.
“The Liberal Government was obliged to undertake both safety and access improvements to all major access routes for Ellenbrook.
“Intersections at Gnangara Road and West Swan Road have a new roundabout, lights have been provided at Drumpellier Drive in conjunction with the dualling of Gnangara Road Westward.”
Mr Alban said lights and slip lanes had also been completed at the Lord Street and Reid Highway intersection.
“The completion of separate Bus Rapid Transit lanes will remove the increased bus transport network traffic from the current car traffic congestion on Lord Street, helping to decongest this route.”
The NorthLink project, which had just begun stage one of construction, would provide the greater Ellenbrook community a freeway access to the airport and the city.
“The completion of this $1.12 billion generational project will provide Ellenbrook with economic benefits including local jobs,” Mr Alban said. “NorthLink will also provide faster and safer access via direct interchanges from Gnangara Road and The Promenade.
“With Ellenbrook having its own freeway access, this will considerably reduce the Ellenbrook community’s reliance on Lord Street as a southerly route for cars and service vehicles.”