The Western Australian and Federal Governments have committed $100 million towards rolling out new Smart Freeways Technology along the Mitchell Freeway in Perth.
The project is jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and will see coordinated ramp signals installed along 16 ramps from Hester Avenue to Vincent Street.
The technology will alleviate pressure on the road network, and improve safety and connectivity for people living and working in the northern suburbs.
It will also lead to more reliable journey times and provide congestion relief for the more than 180,000 motorists per day that use Mitchell Freeway southbound, enabling the freeway to operate efficiently without stop-start conditions at merge points.
The technology has already had great success along the Kwinana Freeway northbound, between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge, with motorists saving up to ten minutes during peak hour.
Expressions of interest for industry to deliver the project will open before the end of the year, with construction on the project to commence in late 2021. More than 700 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created over the life of the project.
Premier Mark McGowan said, “As a frequent Kwinana Freeway user, I know how important saving ten minutes on the daily freeway commute is – it means less time in the car and more time for family.
“Smart Freeways have been a success for the southern suburbs and now we’re bringing the technology to the northern suburbs, with signals to be rolled out along 16 ramps from Hester Avenue to Vincent Street along the Mitchell Freeway southbound.
Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “We’ve worked hard to secure Federal funding so we can roll this out along the Mitchell Freeway southbound, which will make daily commutes quicker and easier for the 180,000 motorists that use this stretch of freeway daily.
“We’re busting congestion in the northern suburbs – combined with the Yanchep Rail Extension, Mitchell Freeway Extension to Romeo Road and Mitchell Freeway widening from Hodges to Hepburn, the northern suburbs will be a hub of infrastructure activity.
“You can’t visit anywhere around Western Australia without seeing workers in hard hats on the ground and works underway – we’re building the infrastructure for tomorrow.”
