WA's first dedicated bus corridor to connect Ellenbrook Town Centre and Marshall Road in $49 million public transport project
Shorter, more reliable journey times to Bassendean Station and a new bus connection to Midland Town Centre
A two-lane continuous and dedicated bus transit way from Ellenbrook Town Centre to Marshall Road - about 9km - to take pressure off Lord Street and support urban development
The first dedicated bus corridor in Western Australia will be introduced to improve a vital public transport link between Ellenbrook, its neighbouring communities and the Midland Line.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the $49 million Ellenbrook Bus Rapid Transit (EBRT) project, announced in today's State Budget, would provide a seamless, nine-kilometre continuous connection for buses between Ellenbrook Town Centre and Marshall Road.
Mr Nalder said the service would be delivered through separate dedicated lanes, providing uninterrupted travel via bridges or underpasses at Gnangara Road, Park Street and Youle-Dean Road, as well as bus priority at Marshall Road.
"The project will lead to shorter, more reliable bus journey times for Ellenbrook residents and emerging residential developments between Reid Highway and Gnangara Road," he said.
"It will reduce the average bus journey time between Ellenbrook and Bassendean Station by up to 10 minutes in morning peak hour, with three new bus stations along the route to provide an important public transport connection and lessen commuters' reliance on cars.
"A total of 400 Park 'n' Ride bays will be provided at the Gnangara Road and Marshall Road bus stations to further encourage use of the new service.
"A new connecting service from the EBRT corridor to Midland will provide a connection from the north-east corridor to this thriving urban hub. This will allow easy access to the new Midland Health Campus and Curtin University campus, along with jobs and shopping options.
"Using the new bus transit route, a daily commuter will save more than eight hours in travel time every two months, the equivalent of one working day."
To address emerging traffic congestion in the area, two sections of single carriageway road (New Lord Street) will be constructed alongside Lord Street, as will a two kilometre stretch between Gnangara Road and Park Street and a 2.8km stretch between Youle-Dean and Marshall roads. A further 700 metres of dual carriageway road will be constructed linking to Reid Highway, with modifications to adjacent roads along the route.
Mr Nalder said the project would bring relief to Ellenbrook residents, who currently encountered queues of up to two kilometres in morning peak hour on Lord Street on the southbound approach to the Marshall Road roundabout.
"The New Lord Street will relieve this congestion by providing more efficient access to the Reid Highway intersection, where most of the traffic dissipates," he said.
"We will engage with the community over the next 12 months to ensure the best transport outcomes for the Ellenbrook community are delivered."
Following the construction of New Lord Street, the existing Lord Street will serve as a local access road for new residential development, making the local subdivision in the area a more pleasant and safer place for people to live and access.
A design and construct contract is expected to be awarded, with construction commencing by the end of this year. The project is expected to be completed in late 2017.
Fact File
The EBRT project comprises:
two-lane continuous dedicated bus transit way from Ellenbrook Town Centre to Marshall Road - nine kilometres
bus stations at Ellenbrook Town Centre, Gnangara and Marshall roads, with a future station planned for Youle-Dean Road
cycling facilities at the new stations to improve accessibility
New Lord Street will be a 4.8km single carriageway road constructed between Gnangara Road and Park Street then continuing between Youle-Dean and Marshall roads
a further 700m of dual carriageway road will be constructed to link to Reid Highway
dual bus underpasses or bridges will be provided at Gnangara Road, Park Street and Youle-Dean Road
dedicated crossing will be provided at Marshall Road with priority given to buses
currently about 2,000 passengers travel on more than 100 buses between Ellenbrook and Bassendean on an average week day
four new buses will service the bus route between Marshall Road Bus Rapid Transit station and Midland
300 car parking spaces will be available at the Gnangara Bus Rapid Transit station and 100 at the Marshall BRT station
Treasurer's office - 6552 5700
Transport Minister's office - 6552 6400
