PROJECT UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2020 Mitchell Freeway Extension - Hester Avenue to Romeo Road Jointly funded by the Federal ($107.5 million) and State ($107.5 million) Governments, the $215 million Mitchell Freeway Extension Project will About the Project It will alleviate pressure on the local improve safety and reduce We are planning a 5.6 kilometre road network, reduce travel times and congestion on the northern northern extension of the Mitchell improve safety and connectivity for freeway network. Freeway from Hester Avenue to people living and working in the area. Romeo Road in Alkimos and a bridge over the freeway at Lukin Drive. The Key construction features • Rail tunnel/bridge for the rail to • freeway extension Project will service 5.6 kilometres of freeway from exit the freeway median to Butler, the fast growing outer northern Hester Avenue, two lanes in each approximately 500m north of Lukin suburbs of Yanchep, Butler, Alkimos, direction Drive Eglington and Nowergup. It will also • Northbound on-ramp and • Northbound off-ramp and extend the freeway to Romeo Road southbound off-ramp at Hester southbound on-ramp at Romeo and provide new freeway access Avenue interchange Road where freeway terminates points at Lukin Drive and Romeo • Interchange at Lukin Drive (eastern • Upgrade from 3-way to 4-way Road. section of the Lukin Drive ends at signalised intersection at Romeo the interchange) This extension is part of a suite of Road and Marmion Avenue. • Road bridge over Nowergup rail- • transport infrastructure improvements Dual carriageway on Romeo Road yard access road designed to support Perth’s rapidly from Wanneroo Road to Marmion expanding outer northern suburbs. Avenue • Duplicate Wanneroo Road for Request for proposal sought Construction Reference Group approximately 1.5 km north of from industry meeting Romeo Road and approximately Late last year, we called for The recently appointed Construction 300m south of Romeo Road, expressions of interest from industry Reference Group (CRG) met for the including the intersection upgrade for the design and construction first time in June. The CRG were at Romeo Road / Wanneroo Road of the Mitchell Freeway Extension. presented with an overview of the / Karoborup Road The applications were assessed and Project and the role of the group, and • Principal shared path (PSP) on shortlisted proponents were invited discussed community opportunities the west side of the freeway to submit a request for proposal. and issues associated with Project. connecting to the existing freeway The preferred proponent to deliver The CRG has been formed to: the design and construction will be PSP north of Hester Avenue • Collaboratively inform the planning • announced in the coming months. Noise walls and development process for the • Services relocations (water, gas, Project Timing power, communications, sewerage • The Project has been fast-tracked as Assist with identifying and etc) part of a State Government major responding to Project issues and • Lighting to the Mitchell Freeway, infrastructure initiative to boost the opportunities identified by Project Wanneroo Road, Romeo Road, economy post COVID-19. A preferred stakeholders side-street and PSP • proponent to deliver the design and Provide a channel for two-way • Safety barriers to separate the construction will be announced in communication and stakeholder railway and freeway corridors the coming months with vegetation input • For more information on the CRG or Optional works clearing commencing late this year to view the minutes of the meeting, and construction commencing early Three areas of optional works have please visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au. been identified as part of the Project. next year. The Project is scheduled for These include: completion late 2022. 1. The duplication of Wanneroo Road south to Dunstan Road with a pedestrian/fauna underpass and an interchange at Nowergup Road; 2. A freeway interchange for Butler Boulevard; and 3. Widening works for Lukin Drive west to Connolly Drive (see map for details). These options will be decided upon following the assessment and engagement of a design and construction contractor and will be advised in the coming months. Image taken during Flora and Fauna survey Noise walls Noise monitoring and modelling has been undertaken and will determine the final design and location of noise walls adjacent to existing residential areas in line with State Planning Policy 5.4. Main Roads will provide a noise wall along the western side of the freeway for its full length from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road. More information about wall heights and materials will be made available once the design has been finalised. Environmental and heritage All reasonable precautions will be taken during the works to protect significant flora, vegetation and fauna in the area. Image taken during Flora and Fauna survey Detailed flora, vegetation and fauna to relocate to the adjacent National Electric Vehicle trial surveys have been undertaken to Park. Fauna present on site that Main Roads is supporting the shift understand the potential impact do not voluntarily move back into to Electronic Vehicles (EV) for use of the freeway extension on the adjacent habitat will be relocated by a on the state road network and have environment. The surveys have qualified fauna handler. nominated the Mitchell Freeway informed the planning and design to Extension Project to take part in a include a dual-use pedestrian/fauna Aboriginal and European heritage pilot trial. The trial aims to test the underpass for the Yaberoo Budjara surveys were completed in 2019 and commercial approach and understand Heritage Trail at Romeo Road, and 2018 respectively and no sites of any unforeseen issues that could an optional dual-use pedestrian/ significance were identified within the arise through the introduction of a fauna underpass on Wanneroo Road planned extension footprint. Should policy to implement a similar style connecting Neerabup National Park any items of potential interest be quota for other Projects. If successful, and Neerabup Nature Reserve (see located during the works, the relevant a quota will be incorporated into map for details). authorities will be contacted to protect and preserve the articles. further major Projects to support a During the clearing works, removal wider Western Australian EV Strategy of vegetation will be undertaken in currently under development. a progressive manner to allow fauna Further information and contact details If you would like further information, Construction of the Mitchell Freeway have any questions or concerns, you can contact us in several ways: Extension Project will be aligned and Email: [email protected]. coordinated with the Yanchep Rail au Extension, part of the Australian and Telephone: Main Roads on 138 138 State Governments’ commitments to Webpage: Visit our Project page METRONET. and subscribe to stay updated www.mainroads.wa.gov.au MITCHELL FREEWAY EXTENSION - Hester Avenue to Romeo Road * For illustrative purposes. Subject to further design and development. This document can be provided in alternative formats upon request.