PROJECT UPDATE AUGUST 2021

Tonkin Corridor - to Kelvin Road

Planning and development is well underway to upgrade south of The $366 million Tonkin Highway Roe Highway. When completed, the section between Roe Highway and Kelvin Road Interchanges project is jointly funded by will be widened, and the intersection at Hale Road, and Kelvin Road the ($293 million) will be upgraded, improving safety and efficiencies for commuters in the area. This update focuses on how community feedback has helped us develop an improved and the State Government ($73 million). option for traffic heading to the city from Hale Road.

Tonkin Highway and Hale Road Intersection Better access with less delays We thank the community for their help Background What did we find? in developing the revised plan that will Initial planning at this intersection leading This further work found that the Roe improve safety and travel times by: up to mid-2019 determined that: Highway signalised intersection already • Providing direct access onto Tonkin has poor levels of service at peak travel • a bridge would be built to take Tonkin Highway northbound from Hale Road times, so we looked at how we could Highway over Hale Road with no to head to without stopping at improve this. This included adjusting access ramps to and from Hale Road; the Roe Highway signals. While a lower signal timings, and reviewing the and speed is needed for safety, vehicles synchronisation of signals at Hale Road • Hale Road would stay open to allow will get onto Tonkin Highway quicker and Roe Highway. This work showed that: local traffic to easily travel between (Tonkin Highway will travel over Hale Forrestfield and Wattle Grove. • When the project is finished, Road, so Hale Road traffic will not stop Forrestfield and Wattle Grove residents for vehicles on Tonkin Highway); However, the local community told us travelling from Hale Road during the • they were concerned about not being Installing default green signals on morning peak would be delayed at the able to access Tonkin Highway from Hale Hale Road at north-facing ramp Roe Highway signals longer than the Road. After reviewing various options, intersections. This means the red signal current Tonkin Highway and Hale Road we changed the design in May 2020 to is only triggered red by right-turn intersection (at the present time); and include north-facing ramps. The ramps movements travelling north – from • Changing signal timings to reduce this allowed vehicles to get on and off Tonkin Forrestfield turning right onto the ramp delay would increase travel time for Highway at Hale Road to travel to and to the city, and from the city turning vehicles travelling along Roe Highway from the city, which is what the majority of right to Wattle Grove, allowing more through the intersection (ie. delaying traffic does at this intersection. green time on Hale Road between a significantly larger number of Roe Forrestfield and Wattle Grove; This updated design was reviewed and Highway users). • Improving safety for the current Roe we found vehicles could not safely enter To address this, we now have an improved Highway traffic southbound exiting Tonkin Highway from Hale Road at 100 concept that connects directly to Tonkin at Hale Road. The currently banned km/hr. There was not enough space to Highway northbound from Hale Road right-turn movement will be allowed. allow safe weaving movements – that is, using a road alongside the Highway (like This was not allowed previously due traffic coming from Hale Road wanting those seen on the west side of Tonkin to traffic from Roe Highway crossing to enter Tonkin Highway towards the city, Highway between Horrie Miller Drive and multiple Tonkin Highway lanes in a and northbound Tonkin Highway traffic ). short distance to turn right into Hale wanting to exit to Roe Highway. Road to get to Wattle Grove; and This road will be used by vehicles coming We advised community members who • Addressing community concerns out of Hale Road heading to Tonkin were concerned about having to travel regarding the flyover, which would Highway, and by vehicles using Tonkin through the Roe Highway signals that restrict access out of Wattle Grove and Highway to get to Roe Highway. we would do further traffic modelling to Forrestfield in an emergency situation. determine the efficiency of this solution. Updated design of Tonkin Highway and Hale Road intersection

This new design concept uses a lower speed limit on the side road to provide direct access to Tonkin Highway northbound from Hale Road without compromising safety.

Traffic coming from areas south of Hale What’s next? Environmental referrals are under Road and Tonkin Highway will not be A video outlining the design at Tonkin assessment for the first contract, with stopped by traffic entering the highway Highway at its intersections with Hale recommendations anticipated in mid- from Forrestfield and Wattle Grove. Local Road and Welshpool Road is now 2022. The public comment period for the traffic travelling between Wattle Grove available. Federal environmental assessment has and Forrestfield (east and west) will enjoy now closed. The public comment period significantly improved travel times. In addition, we are seeking your input into for the State environmental assessment is our feedback survey, focusing on traffic- anticipated in late-2021. related matters, and how people travel to and from the project area. Your community Want more information? The Tonkin Highway Corridor project will Project information is available at www. feedback has helped be delivered under two contracts: mainroads.wa.gov.au/projects by emailing us provide: [email protected] or • The first contract includes the phoning 138 138. You can also register for • Access to and from the City at intersections along Tonkin Highway at project updates by heading to our project Hale Road; and Hale Road and Welshpool Road. The page and subscribing for email updates. • A new direct connection onto Request for Proposals for construction Tonkin Highway from Hale Road is expected commence mid-2022. to head to the City (ie. no need to • The second contract includes Tonkin travel through the Roe Highway Highway and Kelvin Road. signals to get onto Tonkin Highway).

This document can be provided in alternative formats upon request