PREMIER Mark McGowan visited crash black spots in Tapping and Currambine during a northern suburbs tour yesterday.
Mr McGowan joined Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton and Burns Beach MLA Mark Folkard to inspect some of the hotspots known for crashes and near misses on October 4.
Last month, the State Government announced projects that would be targeted as part of the Black Spot Program, including $154,667 for the Joondalup Drive and Pinjar Road roundabout in Tapping.
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READ NOWWanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts said the State funding would cover two-thirds of the project cost, with the City contributing the remainder.
“A total of 63 crashes have occurred at the Joondalup Drive and Pinjar Road intersection over the past five years,” she said.
“To improve safety at the intersection the City commissioned a Road Safety Audit which recommended that vehicle speeds be reduced on approach to the roundabout.
“Pre-deflection works will now be undertaken on the eastern approach to the roundabout, which will help to reduce vehicle speeds and make the intersection safer for all road users.”
There was also $146,667 for Wesco Road in Nowergup, $40,000 for Breakwater Drive in Two Rocks and $40,000 for the Marmion Avenue-Moore Drive junction in Currambine.
“The Black Spot Program is vital in ensuring our local roads we frequent can be upgraded to improve road safety for everyone whether they are drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists or pedestrians,” Mr McGowan said.
Ms Winton said residents and businesses raised concerns about road safety and the local road network regularly.
“This program ensures that some of the local roads of concern can be addressed,” she said.
Mr Folkard said the northern corridor was expanding rapidly with the many development projects and population growth.
“It’s essential that our local road network can maintain the anticipated growth of the area, helping all road users to travel in a safer manner,” he said.
The upgrades complement other State road developments in the northern corridor, including $115 million for two interchanges along Wanneroo Road at the intersections with Joondalup Drive and Ocean Reef Road.
The $31 million Wanneroo Road widening project between Joondalup Drive and Flynn Drive is near completion, and is expected to provide safer and faster journeys to homes and businesses in the northern suburbs.
Further north, the State Government provided $23 million towards the dual carriage upgrade of Marmion Avenue between Butler and Yanchep.
The planned extension of Mitchell Freeway from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road will also provide a considerable reduction in travel times for people travelling to the northern coastal suburbs.
A spokeswoman said the State Government had received 50 per cent of funding for the freeway extension from the Federal Government was advocating for an 80 per cent federal contribution.
“The Romeo Road freeway extension is in its planning phase so a final cost is not yet confirmed, but our current estimate is about $220 million,” she said.
The spokeswoman said ongoing projects such the rail extension to Yanchep, widening Marmion Avenue and widening the Mitchell and Kwinana freeways would help ease congestion.
She said it was “impossible to have every project underway at the same time” but extra funding could get the freeway extension project underway sooner.
Mr McGowan also visited Quinns Rocks Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade to see its new thermal imaging camera, which gives firefighters more of an idea of what’s happening inside a building before they go in.
His tour included a site visit for the future Butler north secondary college, due to open in 2020.