Perth's new Transport Plan proposes major road and rail projects

Transport Minister Dean Nalder has announced a transport plan for Perth which will support a population of 3.5 million. The transport plan will ensure that the bus network, rail links, roads and cycleways will be able to cater to Perth’s growing population.

Transport planning experts developed the Perth Transport Plan for 3.5 million People and Beyond for over two years. This is the most comprehensive transport plan that Perth has seen in two decades, and it was created based on extensive research and modelling.

“While this is a plan prepared by transport planning experts, everyone has a right to have a say on what we aspire our city to look like. The State Government will be consulting with local governments, industry and the community during the next three months.” – Minister Dean Nalder

The proposed key rail projects will include the following:

• Expand the city’s train network from 180km to 300 km as well as include a new rail line that will service Morley and East Wanneroo
• Extend the existing rail lines to Yanchep, Bellevue and Byford in order to cater the growing suburbs
• Extend Thornlie line on to Cockburn Central

Source: Department of Transport WA

A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is also recommended in the plan. The BRT will have a designated lane for buses going to areas where there is led demand for heavy rail. In the plan, the BRT routes will connect Ellenbrook to Bassendean Station, Midland and the new East Wanneroo rail link as well as connect Glendalough Station to Scarborough Beach.

According to Minister Nalder, road transport will remain as the main way for people and freight to travel. The transport plan highlights the expansion of Perth’s core system of highways which is mostly the upgrading of highways into freeway standards. The key plans for roads will include:

• Extend Stock Road going north from Leach Highway, link it with Stephenson Avenue at Jon Sanders Drive with an extension that ties into the Mitchell Freeway. Extensions will include tunnels.
• The Fremantle-Rockingham highway will serve the Western Trade Coast strategic industrial centre.
• Having an East-West City Link that will connect Canning Highway at Berwick Street to Riverside Drive as well as have a tunnel connecting Riverside Drive with the Narrows interchange.

Increasing Perth’s cycleway network from 172km to more than 850km is also recommended in the announced transport plan.

“Improved road and freight networks, tunnels and river crossings will play a part in our future network, keeping the city vibrant, connected and productive.” – Minister Dean Nalder

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Source: Government of Western Australia and Department of Transport WA