The $236 million Mitchell Freeway extension project in Perth is on track with the third and final bridge beam installation currently underway as part of the new traffic interchange at Burns Beach Road which will extend the freeway by six kilometres.
Western Australian Minister for Transport Dean Nalder said 24 heavy concrete beams – the heaviest which weighed up to 90 tonnes and the longest measuring 24.5m – were being lifted and positioned for a traffic bridge over Burns Beach Road.
Several steel and concrete segments are also being installed to form a new pedestrian bridge.
“The installation is a major milestone in the delivery of this key transport infrastructure project, which is running on budget and ahead of schedule,” Mr Nalder said.
“The Mitchell Freeway extension project involves extending the freeway by six kilometres from Burns Beach Road to Hester Avenue.
“This initiative will not only create more than 200 jobs at the construction peak, it will improve traffic flows and reduce congestion, and provide safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2017.
Mr Nalder said road closures were in place and train services were closed between Joondalup and Butler to allow the safe installation of the freeway overpass and pedestrian bridge.
The freeway extension follows the recent completion of the $78.83 million Reid Highway upgrade which would significantly improve safety, vehicle capacity and connectivity.
“Drivers now have uninterrupted travel along Reid Highway over Malaga Drive and reduced congestion with the recent opening of a second traffic bridge over the Mitchell Freeway in Hamersley and Carine,” Mr Nalder said.
“The completion of more than 4.2km of two-lane dual carriageways westbound and eastbound between Erindale Road and Marmion Avenue will also improve traffic flows and travel times.”
The Reid Highway upgrade removed the Malaga Drive intersection from Western Australia’s Black Spot list.
