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Carramar and Tapping Residents Association to discuss proposed Wanneroo Road-Joondalup Drive interchange at meeting

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

THE Carramar and Tapping Residents Association will discuss the proposed Wanneroo Road-Joondalup Drive interchange at its meeting on Monday.

Residents had an opportunity to view the plans for the $50 million upgrade last Saturday at Carramar Village Shopping Centre.

“The majority were horrified – most had no idea at all that this redevelopment is to occur,” Carramar resident Lisa Skepper said.

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Ms Skepper said she spent four hours outside the shopping centre telling people about the plan, abd reactions included “what flyover” and comments about the recent upgrades and freeway extension decreasing congestion.

She said it was disappointing that State MPs and City of Wanneroo representatives were not present.

“The residents of Carramar and Tapping would appreciate having their views heard and consultation on this project is urgently required,” she said.

“I do urge all residents to attend the next Carramar and Tapping Residents Association meeting to be held at Carramar Community Centre on Monday, November 6 at 7.30pm.”

Main Roads WA media manager Dean Roberts said there had been “extensive community engagement” since the project announcement in May, including through newsletters, a web page and the information line.

“This has included two shopping centre information displays, which resulted in positive feedback from the majority of attendees,” he said.

“Other activity has included formation of a community liaison group and direct engagement with local residents at the boundaries of the project, business owners, amenity groups and neighbouring landowners.

“We will continue to work closely with the community as the project moves towards the construction stage in mid-2018.

“This includes additional community liaison group meetings, ongoing briefings with local stakeholders and written communication with the community in the vicinity of the project.

“As the project enters construction, activity will include ongoing liaison to ensure the works schedule is understood and impacts arising from construction, such as noise and dust or temporary road closures, are managed effectively.”

Mr Roberts said people had contacted Main Roads with questions over the rationale for the project following the interim works that were part of the Mitchell Freeway Extension and to emphasise the importance of maintaining access to businesses.

He said other concerns related to ensuring the new infrastructure did not impact on local amenity.

Main Roads called for expressions of interest from industry for the design and construction of the project in September.

Ms Skepper highlighted issues with the plan, including that the flyover would end at Houghton Drive near Carramar Primary School, and that there would be no right turns into Joondalup Drive from St Stephen’s Crescent.

Other concerns related to how the Cheriton Drive junction would be altered and the impact on Carramar Village Shopping Centre as it would affect access across Joondalup Drive for Tapping residents.

Mr Roberts said modifying that junction to a left in, left out configuration would improve safety by “preventing vehicles from turning right across free-flowing, east-west traffic”.

“Houghton Drive and Cheriton Drive are currently outside the funded scope of the current project, however, Main Roads is liaising with the City of Wanneroo to identify potential improvements to these intersections,” he said.

“The project will result in some modifications to the current access to Drovers Place from Joondalup Drive.”

Mr Roberts said staff were working with Drovers business representatives to identify access options and had held three meetings since July.

“While we are keen to reach a mutually acceptable solution, it is vital that this solution does not compromise or constrain the overarching objective of the interchange – the alleviation of congestion,” he said.

“The project provides a future-focused solution to support current and projected levels of traffic resulting from residential and industrial development in Perth’s northern corridor.

“Upon completion it will complement other significant upgrades in the area to reduce travel times on Wanneroo Road – currently used as an alternate route to Mitchell Freeway – and Joondalup Drive.

“The proposed removal of a busy signalised intersection will provide immediate safety benefits, with a roundabout on Wanneroo Road necessitating lower, but more constant approach speeds.”

Mr Roberts said construction was due to start mid -2018 and finish mid-2019.

Residents can contact the Metropolitan Road Improvement Alliance via admin@mrialliance.com.au or Main Roads WA on 138 138 with concerns.

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