Joint media statement - Major transformation of Mitchell Freeway southbound a step closer

Smart Freeways technology is one step closer to being rolled out along the Mitchell Freeway southbound, with three consortia invited to submit detailed design and construction proposals.

The three consortia shortlisted are:

• CPB, GHD, UGL and SAGE
• Intelligent Freeways Alliance (NRW, Lendlease Services, WSP)
• SmartWays Alliance (BMD, Ventia, Arup).

This stage of the project will deliver coordinated ramp signals at seven freeway entry ramps from Reid Highway to Vincent Street, ensuring vehicles enter the freeway safely and efficiently while avoiding stop-start conditions at known pinch points.

Closer to the city, Smart Freeway infrastructure will be installed with lane use management technology to display open and closed traffic lanes for incident management, unlocking additional freeway capacity and allowing traffic to be managed in real time.

Variable speed limits will improve traffic flow and safety by making adjustments based on traffic volumes and conditions, while dynamic message signs over the freeway lanes will display information about the road conditions ahead.

The project will also install other smart technology such as CCTV, Vehicle Detectors, Automatic Incident Detection, and Stopped Vehicle Detection at emergency stopping bays, as well as upgrade the existing Traffic Control Systems Network to future-proof smart operation of the road network.

Smart Freeway technology is also being delivered as part of the Mitchell Freeway Southbound Upgrade: Hodges to Hepburn project, with nine entry ramps from Hester Avenue to Warwick Road to receive coordinated ramp signals.

Combined, the upgrade and rolling out of Smart Freeways on Mitchell Freeway southbound will result in average travel time-savings of up to seven minutes from Hodges Drive to Vincent Street for over 28,000 vehicles that use this section of the freeway during the morning peak period.

More than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs will be supported during the life of the project.

The $140 million Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound program is jointly funded on a 50:50 basis by the Australian and Western Australian governments.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP:

"The Mitchell Freeway upgrades are part of the Australian Government's multi-billion-dollar investment in infrastructure in Perth that is creating jobs and economic stimulus while improving critical transport networks.

"This $140 million Smart Freeway program will address congestion and bottlenecks to improve journey reliability and provide congestion relief to more than 50,000 southbound motorists each day.

"As Perth continues to develop and grow, this innovative technology is the most efficient solution to manage the resulting congestion without continually widening the road - meaning we will get drivers home sooner and safer with the least disruption to communities in the area."

Quotes attributable to WA Transport Minister, the Hon Rita Saffioti MLA:

"The Smart Freeways technology proved popular along the Kwinana Freeway, with morning drivers saving up to 10 minutes on their daily commute.

"We're now rolling this technology out along the Mitchell Freeway Southbound, which when complete, will save 28,000 drivers up to seven minutes on their daily morning commute.

"This forms part of a suite of transport improvements for our rapidly growing northern suburbs, enabling more jobs for local workers and businesses, with 1,000 direct and indirect jobs expected to be created over the life of the Smart Freeway Mitchell southbound projects.

"Work is also underway on other major northern suburbs projects including the Mitchell Freeway Extension, widening the Mitchell Freeway from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue and the long awaited Yanchep Rail Extension."

WA Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500