UPGRADES to a busy Wanneroo intersection will start next month, as opposing parties offer congestion solutions.
Lanes will be extended and added at the Joondalup Drive and Wanneroo Road intersection as part of the Mitchell Freeway extension project.
Works include extending the lanes turning on to Wanneroo Road northbound and southbound from Joondalup Drive and constructing additional lanes for eastbound traffic on Joondalup Drive turning on to Wanneroo Road.
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READ NOWWanneroo MLA Paul Miles said commuters often experienced lengthy delays at the intersection.
“The scope of the works to be delivered as part of this project is expected to significantly ease this traffic congestion,” he said.
“Once these improvements have been finished, and the extension of the Mitchell Freeway to Hester Avenue is opened, it is expected that this will greatly improve the safety of all commuters.”
The same day, State Opposition transport spokeswoman Rita Saffioti and Labor’s Federal candidate for Cowan Anne Aly launched a petition calling for overpasses to be installed at both this and the Wanneroo and Ocean Reef roads intersection.
Ms Saffioti said she was disappointed funding had not been allocated for the projects in the State Budget.
“As the suburbs fill out what we’re seeing is massive pressure, not only north-south, which has always been a problem, but also east-west and as a result these intersections are getting very congested at peak times and throughout the day,” she said.
“The latest information we have from the State Government is that they don’t expect these overpasses to be constructed until post-2031.
“If we don’t address these we will create congestion in other areas as people move around trying to find the easier route.”
Ms Aly said she would lobby for Federal funding for the overpasses.
“There’s been a lot of focus on public transport and roads going north to south but very little focus and very little attention to east-west,” she said.
“People coming from the freeway going home and using that route are finding the traffic unbearable and it’s not just at particular times of days, it’s all times of day, it’s always, always busy.
“I think it’s one of the most critical issues for people in that area at the moment.”