30/11/05
The State Government is moving to deliver on its promise to ease the notorious traffic bottleneck at the intersection of Leach Highway and Orrong Road, Welshpool.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today that John Holland Pty Ltd had been selected by Main Roads Western Australia as the preferred proponent to design and construct a new bridge on Leach Highway to carry traffic over Orrong Road.
“The intersection of Leach Highway and Orrong Road has always been busy, but it is now experiencing increased problems due to the opening of the Graham Farmer Freeway with over 70,000 vehicles using the intersection each day,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Since opening in 2000, the freeway has increased traffic along Orrong Road by 40 per cent and the increasing importance of Orrong Road was recognised in July 2005 when it was handed over to Main Roads from the City of Belmont to become a State Government responsibility.”
The Minister said she had made this project a top priority after completing the Freight Network Review.
“John Holland was selected as the preferred proponent for the bridge project following a detailed assessment by Main Roads of four proposals for the design and construction contract,” she said.
Ms MacTiernan said it was expected the contract would be awarded by mid-December this year.
Works on the project would begin early next year and would be completed by December 2006.
“The bridge project will provide a total of four traffic lanes on Leach Highway similar to the existing configuration and is the first stage of the ultimate upgrade to six lanes,” Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said the upgrade was implementing the Government’s six-point plan for the Freight Network Strategy including the movement of high wide loads from the nearby industrial area.
Minister's office: 9213 6400
