Joint media statement - Transformation of northern suburbs road network continues

Another key northern suburbs road project, the upgraded Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive interchange, has opened today improving safety and journey times for local residents.

The upgrade to the interchange at Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive supported 280 local jobs.

The project involved constructing a new bridge on Joondalup Drive flowing over a roundabout on Wanneroo Road, taking east-west traffic away from this busy intersection to deliver immediate safety benefits and predictable journey times for road users.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Morrison Government was helping deliver critical infrastructure across Perth and WA.

"Today we're opening yet another project in Perth's northern suburbs that will make life easier for motorists meaning less time in traffic and more time with your family," Mr Tudge said.

"At the same time we've been able to create hundreds of jobs and boost the economy through our continued investment in WA."

Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the McGowan Government was delivering projects that would bring immediate benefits but also provide the infrastructure needed for the future.

"The northern suburbs are set to boom over the coming decades and it's important we continue to deliver the infrastructure the community needs not only now, but also for tomorrow.

"Combined with a number of other major projects delivered in the northern suburbs this year - such as the dualling of Reid Highway, the delivery of the Ocean Reef Road and Joondalup Drive Interchange and opening of the additional lane on the Mitchell Freeway southbound - we are slashing travel times and helping ease congestion.

"There are a number of other exciting major transport projects underway or planned for the northern suburbs including the Yanchep Rail Extension, the Mitchell Freeway extension and the rollout of the Smart Freeways technology along the Mitchell Freeway southbound."

Federal Member for Moore Ian Goodenough said the delivery of this project would provide immediate benefits for northern suburbs commuters.

"The Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive Interchange, along with improvements at the intersections of Joondalup Drive and Cheriton Drive and Burns Beach Road, delivers congestion relief for residents and road users in Perth's northern suburbs," he said.

"This project improves east-west connectivity for residents of Joondalup, Burns Beach and Kinross, improving access to Mitchell Freeway, Joondalup City Centre, the Joondalup Rail Line and coastal areas."

State Member for Wanneroo Sabine Winton said this was one of her key election commitments and she was pleased to have delivered on the project.

"We committed to this project in 2016 and it's been fantastic to watch this project shape up over the past few years," she said.

"I am pleased that my advocacy saw the Cheriton Drive roundabout and Clarkson Ave traffic signals delivered as part of this project. These local intersections have been long standing problems for residents and this project has delivered a holistic solution for the surrounding suburbs.

"I want to thank residents for their patience throughout the construction of this project. We now have a solution to the congestion at this intersection that will serve us well into the future."

The project also included three significant local road upgrades:

• A new roundabout at Joondalup Drive and Cheriton Drive to improve local traffic flow and access to the suburb of Carramar;
• A fully-signalised intersection at Wanneroo Road and Clarkson Avenue to provide safe and reliable access for the community of Tapping, supporting the ongoing commercial expansion of Drovers Business Precinct; and
• Modifications to the Burns Beach Road and Joondalup Drive roundabout, co-funded by the City of Joondalup, to improve safety while reducing queuing times on the approach to Mitchell Freeway.

The State and Commonwealth Government have worked together to deliver a number of job-creating, congestion-busting projects in the northern suburbs that opened this year including:

• The Wanneroo Road and Ocean Reef Road interchange which has saved commuters seven minutes;
• The final dualling of Reid Highway between Altone Road and West Swan Road;
• Additional southbound lane on the Mitchell Freeway saving commuters 13 minutes' travel time from Warwick Road to Vincent Street; and
• NorthLinkWA saving about 20 minutes on a round trip from Muchea to Kewdale.

Other major transport projects in the northern suburbs include the Yanchep Rail Extension, which is currently under construction and expected to be completed in late 2022, the Mitchell Freeway Extension, with work to commence early next year and expected to save commuters 15 minutes' travel time from the Narrows Bridge to Alkimos, and the rollout of the Smart Freeways technology southbound on the Mitchell Freeway.

Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500