MAIN ROADS WESTERN AUSTRALIA PROJECT UPDATE NorthLink WA JUNE 2018 WORTH THE WAIT After more than two years of design and construction, the Southern Section of NorthLink WA has been completed while managing the thousands of vehicles that needed to travel along Tonkin Highway and intersecting roads each day. Now a freeway-standard, free-flowing • Benara Road is now a flyover over Revegetation and landscaping will link with six lanes between Guildford Tonkin Highway. Free of traffic provide an attractive streetscape when Road and Reid Highway, the first section lights, the flyover has already fully grown, and will soften the roadside of the $1.02 billion state and federally reduced congestion along Benara and provide additional screening for funded initiative is already proving it was Road creating an efficient East- residents. Revegetation and landscaping worth the inconvenience. West link for local traffic. will be undertaken this winter using local, native plant and tree species Major works included the grade • Around 6kms of shared path and found within the Swan Coastal Plain separation of three major intersections local connections are providing a area. and construction of a free-flowing safe and environmentally friendly shared path. way for cyclists and pedestrians to travel. The four metre-wide • The interchange at Collier Road is shared path along the western a Single Point Urban Interchange side of Tonkin Highway includes $1.02b designed to help move large volumes underpasses that provide a safe, of traffic safely and efficiently. continuous path of travel for The combined value of • The interchange at Morley Drive is the pedestrians and cyclists. NorthLink WA funded by first of its kind in Western Australia, Another prominent feature is the with Tonkin Highway passing over both the colourful noise walls you see as a large oval-shaped roundabout on you drive along Tonkin Highway. Australian ($821 million) Morley Drive. The colour scheme is designed to and State ($204 million) improve way-finding and enhance the travel experience for all road users. Governments. Roundabouts keep traffic moving through construction With more than 100,000 motorists passing through NorthLink WA works each day, keeping people on the move during construction is a top priority. Major arterials like Reid Highway, Tonkin Highway, Beechboro Road North and Gnangara Road will be affected by works until mid-2019. We’re working hard on temporary traffic solutions that allow construction to continue without stopping traffic. In April, the Reid Highway/Beechboro Road North traffic signals were replaced with a temporary roundabout (pictured), that will remain for about a year. The roundabout has already improved the traffic network, and work of WA’s first freeway-to-freeway, free- • Reduce the likelihood of ‘t-bone’ and is now underway to construct the new flowing interchange, that is now under head-on collisions, resulting in injury Beechboro Road North flyover without construction. Motorists will then travel and death. undue interruptions for motorists. through a new temporary roundabout, As ramps in the Tonkin Highway/Reid Another temporary roundabout will located west of the existing traffic lights. Highway free-flowing interchange are replace the Tonkin Highway/Reid completed, they will progressively open Roundabouts are proven to: Highway traffic lights. In mid-2018, traffic to traffic through the remainder of will be switched onto the new Reid • Allow a constant flow of traffic where construction. Highway alignment, through the centre drivers don’t try and ‘beat the red light’ Salvaging plants to protect Lightning Swamp “We recognised an opportunity to reduce the length of a retaining wall and the associated clearing by using a combination of stone pitching in place of the wall in some parts. “With stone pitching, we can reduce the wall substantially saving 1500 square metres of clearing.” FOLS president John Williams was delighted with the outcome and has arranged for a plant salvage activity in the area before works start on the Site Engineer Verity Williams, FOLS President John Williams, and Construction Manager retaining wall and stone pitching during John Ransom. winter. Lightning Swamp is around 70 hectares Main Roads and contractor for the “We are absolutely thrilled that this of bushland reserve located next to Reid central section, Great Northern amount of clearing can be avoided,” Highway at Noranda, close to works for Connect, have worked with Friends of John said. the NorthLink WA central section (Reid Lightning Swamp (FOLS) throughout “It’s a huge win for Lightning Swamp. Highway to Ellenbrook). construction to help preserve and We will get in and salvage some of the protect this important wetland. This dense bushland, damplands and species endemic to the area and replant wetlands is home to a variety of flora “We recently walked the FOLS president them within a degraded area adjacent to and fauna, some of which covered through a section of Reid Highway Lightning Swamp.” the Swan Coastal Plain before urban where a large retaining wall was planned development. along a busy stretch of road,” said construction manager John Ransom. Animal welfare top priority with WA’s first fauna bridge Artist’s impression of WA’s first dedicated fauna bridge We don’t mind why, but we do care how our native wildlife crosses the road when NorthLink WA is complete. There Principal Shared Path provides are 12 fauna underpasses planned along WA’s newest stretch of freeway, travel options but the jewel in the crown will be our first-ever fully vegetated fauna bridge. Cyclists and pedestrians will have • An interpretive signage trail plenty of room to share on WA’s first highlighting heritage information The bridge will be built north of four metre-wide principal shared path along the route. Ellenbrook, connecting bushland known (PSP) now open along the western side The PSP is totally separated from to house abundant wildlife. At 12 metres of Tonkin Highway. road traffic providing pedestrians wide, it will provide a natural route that and cyclists with a safe, high-quality encourages and allows animals of all The new path is a significant addition and healthy transport option which kinds to cross the freeway safely. to the Perth walking and cycling networks. Highlights of the route will eventually extend all the way to The bridge will be densely landscaped include: Muchea. to mimic the natural environment, using Lighting along the pathway is designed trees, bushes, shrubs and ground • Connections to the local footpath to dim during low use times late at covers native to the area. In-situ network in Bayswater, Morley and night resulting in significant energy irrigation will ensure the ongoing Noranda savings – a first for WA. prosperity of plants, encouraging fauna • Underpasses at Collier Road and use as early as possible after opening. Hamersley Avenue Natural barriers such as heavy logs will be at each entrance to discourage unauthorised human access. Mounding and rockeries will be built into the design to provide habitat and cover for crossing animals. The operation of the bridge will be monitored and maintained by leading experts, ensuring continued habitat connectivity for the long-term sustainability of our treasured wildlife. Spreading the word about NorthLink WA northern section More than 6000 visitors from far and wide enjoyed the information displays, art and craft stalls, vintage cars, food and entertainment of the Bullsbrook Fair, organised by the Bullsbrook Residents and Ratepayers Association. CPB Contractors has been engaged by Main Roads to deliver the 23km of highway on NorthLink WA’s northern section. Not wanting to miss out on an opportunity to engage with the local community, the team from CPB Contractors were at the fair. What’s happening in the North? “There was a great deal of interest, with With final design squared away, the with Great Northern Highway and people asking about road closures, 23km dual-carriageway highway is Brand Highway via a deviation of new road connections around Muchea, taking shape from Maralla Road, Brand Highway to the north of construction schedules and more,” Ellenbrook to Brand Highway, Muchea. said Community Engagement Manager Muchea. Good progress is being Catherine Sanders. A road train assembly area will be made on culvert construction, and fill constructed near the new Brand “Overwhelmingly the feedback was is going in at a rate of knots. Highway deviation, providing a positive, with people looking forward The interchanges at Stock Road and convenient access point for freight to the benefits the completed highway Neaves Road will feature bridges over trucks. will bring, especially in relation to taking roundabouts similar to the interchange heavy trucks off local roads.” A 23km, four metre-wide shared just completed at Morley Drive. The path will be built along the eastern roundabouts cater for road trains to WANT MORE INFORMATION? side of the alignment with access to 36.5m in length. Web: www.northlinkwa.com.au a number of adjacent local roads, There will be flyovers built over improving connectivity for cyclists and Phone: 138 138 Muchea South Road and the existing pedestrians. Email: [email protected] Brand Highway. It will connect up with shared paths Register for regular updates: Another large roundabout-style on NorthLink WA southern and central [email protected] interchange the size of Subiaco oval sections, providing access from Facebook: www.facebook.com/ will be constructed at the northern Muchea into the Perth metropolitan groups/northlinkwa extremity of NorthLink WA connecting area..