When the Mitchell Fwy extension to Romeo Rd opens next month motorists using Wanneroo Rd will be able to access the freeway via Romeo Rd while the duplication of Wanneroo Rd continues.
Today when announcing the Mitchell Fwy extension to Romeo Rd would open on July 10 new deputy premier and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said work at the Romeo Rd and Wanneroo Rd intersection such as traffic lights etc would be finished during the next four weeks.
But the Wanneroo Rd duplication had been separated from the freeway extension and it would not be finished by that date.
Motorists will also be able to access the freeway extension from Lukin Dr and Butler Blvd.
The collaboration with Metronet has resulted in the construction of Romeo Rd, as well as the new east-west road link from Wanneroo Rd to Marmion Ave.
This includes a new bridge over rail on Romeo Rd as part of the Yanchep rail extension works.
Ms Saffioti said with the Wanneroo Rd duplication project separated it had been a matter of tying the Romeo Rd connections into the Yanchep rail works and also because DevelopmentWA was looking at how they were developing Alkimos so a number of issues had been at play.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said freeway extension would reduce congestion and improve journey times on the road and provide better connections to Perth’s northern suburbs including Yanchep, Butler, Alkimos and Eglington.
“It will relieve pressure on local roads, particularly Hester Ave, Marmion Ave and Connolly Dr, which will improve safety and journeys for local residents,’’ she said.
Pearce MHR Tracey Roberts said the community had been looking forward to the opening of the freeway extension to Romeo Rd in Alkimos since the successful community campaign Connect Wanneroo.
“Residents, including me when I was mayor, were strong advocates for the extension of the freeway and rail line, and let the WA and federal governments know that improved transport links were needed to support our fast-growing outer metropolitan suburbs.’’
The $232 million freeway extension is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government, with each contributing $116m.
Main Roads WA said the Lukin Dr underpass artwork had been developed into a mural by artist Minaxi May from drawing by the 2022 Butler Primary School Year 6 class.
Flora and fauna found between the ocean and Neerabup National Park – a black cockatoo, emu, kangaroo, snake, lizards, small marsupials, insects, banksia and grass trees – are depicted.
The Butler Blvd underpass mural marks the lakes and swamps along part of the ancient Yobar pathway extending through the boodja (land) between Yancheop and Joondalup and extending further south.
Lead artist Nathan Corunna said the mural represented the traditional bidi (tracks) that had been recognised historically by Whadjuk Nyoongar elders and enjoyed by visitors and community members living near the Yellagonga Regional Park.
This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 9 June 2023.
