To relieve major congestion bottlenecks and increase capacity on Kwinana Freeway heading north, between Russell Road and Roe Highway, through the provision of an additional freeway lane.

The Australian Government and Opposition commit $75 million in the next term of government to construct the additional lane north on the Kwinana Freeway from Russell Road to Roe Highway

Project Objective

To relieve major congestion bottlenecks and increase capacity on Kwinana Freeway heading north, between Russell Road and Roe Highway, through the provision of an additional freeway lane.

Introduction

The South West Metropolitan Region has an estimated population of 419,200 (June 2015, ABS: 3218) and has experienced population growth of around 16% from 2010 to 2015.

This population growth, coupled with increased north-south traffic movements linked to the commercial developments and the Forrest Highway freeway extension, has resulted in severe congestion experienced on the Kwinana Freeway between Russell Road and Roe Highway.

Key Issues

The construction of an additional lane south on the Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Russell Road is nearing completion and work completed to date between Roe Highway and Cockburn Central has significantly improved south bound traffic flows along the freeway.

The construction of an additional freeway lane north from Russell Road in Aubin Grove to Roe Highway in Murdoch is urgently required, to alleviate congestion on the Kwinana Freeway heading into the Perth CBD.

The north bound section of the freeway is identified as a congestion hotspot in Main Roads daily traffic reports and during AM and PM peaks. This section is also severely congestion most of the day leading to unacceptable travel times and associated losses in productivity and road user frustration.

The Federal Government contributed funding to the additional lane south and a shared funding arrangement, based on 50% contributions from the Australian and Western Australian Government, is required to construct the additional freeway lane north.

South West Group Position

The South West Group supports Main Roads in the $150 million proposal to establish an additional lane north on the Kwinana Freeway from Russell Road to Roe Highway, incorporating managed freeway system technologies.

Recommended Action

The Australian Government and Opposition commit $75 million in the next term of government to construct the additional lane north on the Kwinana Freeway from Russell Road to Roe Highway.