Work set to start in September on $34 million Kwinana Freeway bus transitway

28/8/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle today announced the successful tenderer for the $34 million stage one of the dedicated bus transitway on the Kwinana Freeway from Canning Bridge to the Narrows Bridge.
Mr Criddle said a joint venture made up of Henry Walker Eltin and Clough Engineering (HWE Clough JV) had been awarded the design and construction, which meant work could get under way next month and be completed by early 2002.
He said stage one of the transitway, which would incorporate a modern passenger transfer station at Canning Bridge, would revolutionise bus commuting from the southern suburbs.
A feature of the transit way project would be the construction of a spectacular footbridge across the freeway allowing people access to Como Jetty.
"The new Preston Street footbridge incorporated in the HWE Clough JV plans includes a large lookout structure which will afford people 180 degree views of the river," Mr Criddle said.
"This exciting community amenity will feature mosaic art capturing the history of river life on the South Perth foreshore."
Mr Criddle said stage one of the project comprised a 5.9km two-way dedicated bus transitway in the median of Kwinana Freeway from Canning Bridge, ultimately linking to a similar facility being built as part of the Narrows Bridge duplication project.
"Stage one will include a multi-level passenger transfer station at Canning Bridge where people will be able to link into the transitway high frequency service," he said.
"This project is a major boost for Perth commuters, particularly people living in the southern suburbs, who will now have a high speed, high frequency service to and from the Perth CBD."
Mr Criddle said the project was part of the $1.3 billion TransformWA program, which set out to overhaul the road network and build public transport infrastructure.
"As a consequence, even more people are expected to use public transport as a viable alternative to the private car for commuter purposes, resulting in net benefits including reduced transport costs and vehicle emissions," he said.
"We have seen this year how the public is flocking to public transport in Perth, with 55.4 million more passenger journeys in 1999-2000. Bus patronage is especially pleasing with a jump of two per cent or 900,000 extra journeys for the year.
"The new transitway is a wonderful innovation making the journey between Canning Bridge and the Perth CBD hassle-free, affordable and ultra-safe."
The bus transitway will be 10.2m wide and separated from the main freeway traffic by a 1,200mm barrier made up of a 800mm concrete base and topped with a steel rail. In some locations the concrete barrier will be 900mm high, with no steel rail to meet sight distance requirements.
Other works on the new transitway will include shifting the southbound traffic lanes on the east side of the freeway between Judd Street and Canning Highway to accommodate the two bus lanes.

"Footbridges at Comer and Thelma Streets will also be replaced and the footbridge at Cale Street will be modified to accommodate the project," Mr Criddle said.
The second stage of the transitway from Canning Highway to the Murdoch Park 'n' Ride facility at South Street is planned for 2005 and will include bus only ramps at Leach Highway and South Street.
In total, the Kwinana Freeway bus transitway project from Perth to Murdoch is expected to cost $105 million.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333