Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’ Brien

Reid Highway extension opened

Victor P Taffa

Western Australia Minister for Transport Minister Simon O’Brien today opened the extension of Reid Highway from West Swan Road to Great Northern Highway.

Mr O’Brien said the $96 Million project involved the construction of 2.6km dual carriageway between West Swan Road and Great Northern Highway in Middle Swan; the provision of a road underpass and service road to facilitate safe local access; and significant improvements to the signalised intersection at Great Northern Highway.

It also involved building a new road bridge across the Swan River designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic; and a separate shared cycle and pedestrian path.

“The opening of this important road link is in line with the Liberal-National Government wanting to support jobs, as well as the broader economy, through investing in the State’s infrastructure.” the Minister said.

“Despite strong economic conditions, the previous Labor government ignored the obvious need to address road infrastructure deficiencies in Perth’s growing north-eastern corridor.

“The previous government had promised this extension would be completed by 2008. We are now delivering on what they failed to do.”

Mr O’Brien said the intersection improvements at Great Northern Highway would result in significant reductions in delays and queue lengths.

Other benefits resulting from the new section of highway included:

• Improved safety for road users;

• Improved access to areas of potential employment and residential growth in the middle and outer suburbs of Perth;

• Reduced congestion;

• Reduced freight costs;

• Provision of safe passing opportunities for motorists.

• Providing a more direct route to and from Industrial Areas, Sea and Air Facilities in the Metropolitan areas of:

• Canning Vale,
• Jandakot,
• Kwinana,
• Kewdale; 

The Minister said while work on the main alignment was now completed and the bulk of the work finished, there was still some additional work to be finalised associated with the change over from Middle Swan Road to Reid Highway and the new bridge over Jane Brook.

Mr O’Brien also praised the work of Main Roads WA and Macmahon in bringing this important infrastructure project to a successful completion.

South Australia Shadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas

Can Rann be trusted on Southern Expressway?

Victor P Taffa

Whilst welcoming a belated Rann Government announcement to duplicate the Southern Expressway, residents of the southern suburbs will be wondering whether they can trust Mr Rann on yet another election eve promise.

“Southern suburbs residents will remember just prior to the 2006 election a $140 Million promise as detailed in the Advertiser to build an underpass at the intersection of South and Sturt Roads.” Shadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas said today.

“This is yet another promise which Mr Rann has broken and yet another example of why he cannot be trusted to deliver on promises.”

“South Australians will also remember Mr Rann promising an underpass along South Road beneath Port and Grange Roads, an expansion of the Mt Bold Reservoir, a tramline extension to North Adelaide, a solution to the Britannia Roundabout problem, and the prisons at Murray Bridge.” Mr. Lucas said.

“After eight years of broken promises, most South Australians no longer trust Mr Rann and his Labor Government.” Mr. Lucas said.

“This is especially so when, only two months ago, Transport Minister Pat Conlon told the Southern Times Messenger that there were no plans to duplicate the Southern Expressway in “the next term of government.”

“Also, only last week Southern Suburbs Minister John Hill told Aldinga residents at a public forum that the Rann Government would not be duplicating the Southern Expressway.”Mr. Lucas said.

“There also appears to have been a massive blowout in the Rann Government’s own estimates of the costs of this project. Only seven months ago Mr Conlon’s office told the Southern Times Messenger the cost of this project was $280 Million, and now he is admitting to a $90 Million blowout in the costs of the project to $370 Million.” Mr. Lucas said.

“The Rann Government also appears to be in disarray over the funding for this project and, in particular, whether or not the $445 Million is or is not in the current Budget forward estimates.”

Mr. Lucas said: “The State Liberals under Isobel Redmond will duplicate the Southern Expressway.”

“This announcement will be detailed later in the election campaign and after we have had a chance to look closely at the details of the Rann Government’s new costings for the project.”

And remember, it was Treasurer Kevin Foley who once said: “You do not have the moral fibre to go back on your promise. I have…” (Parliament, 15-Jun-2002)

Under the provisions of the relevant Electoral Act responsibility for all election comment is assumed by Editor Victor P Taffa. The Registered office of The Southern Thunderer is at 4/69a Darvall Road, West Ryde NSW 2114.

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’ Brien

Transport Minister inspects latest works on Indian Ocean Drive

Victor P Taffa

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’Brien has inspected works on the new Lancelin to Cervantes road, due for completion later this year.

The $112 Million second stage of the project, which commenced in 2008, involves the construction of 65km of new sealed coast road, starting just South of Lancelin and extending North to Pinnacles Drive, 10km south of Cervantes.

Visiting the site today, Mr O’Brien said he was confident the road would be a hit with locals and tourists alike.

“When this road is completed it will be possible to travel from Perth to Geraldton entirely along a coastal route. This is bound to have significant economic benefits for local communities along the way.” Mr. O’Brien said.

Mr. O’Brien said the construction of the new road would also ease pressure on the Brand Highway, currently the most direct route to Geraldton and beyond.

“At present the Brand Highway is a heavily-used freight route. However, when Indian Ocean Drive is completed, day trippers, travellers and other passenger vehicles heading into the areas near Lancelin and Cervantes will have another route to choose.”

Heavy freight vehicles will be restricted from travelling on the Lancelin to Cervantes road.

The Minister said given the alignment was being mainly built through bushland environmental concerns were a priority for the construction team.

“What we have seen is a number of enhanced construction techniques aimed at reducing any damage to the natural environment.” Mr. O’ Brien said.

Mr O’Brien said works were being directly managed by Main Roads.

“There is currently a workforce of 135, including 24 Main Roads employees and 111 hired plant operators and labourers. The project has a strong safety focus and involves ongoing employee and industry training.”

“The State Government is committed to delivering infrastructure projects to facilitate future economic growth and improve road safety.” Mr. O’Brien said.

The situation in New South Wales is slightly different to that of Western Australia. Western Australia as a State has to administer a very flat and expansive terrain.

New South Wales although by overseas standards a large area is challenged by the Great Dividing Range, Blue Mountains and Illawarra Escarpment.

These factors make road and railway construction relatively expensive.

This aside the Cobb Highway in Western New South Wales between Wilcannia and Ivanhoe is unsealed. In a recent accident the occupants of a car were killed along this stretch of unsealed road.

The alternative route is the Barrier Highway and as I have discovered car and truck users would not wish to run out of petrol along this long straight stretch of bitumen.

The New South Wales Government should seal the Cobb Highway.

Tasmania Leader of the Opposition Will Hodgman

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff

HODGMAN COMMITS $8 MILLION FOR UPGRADE OF FERRY ROAD 

Victor P Taffa

The Tasmanian Liberals today committed $8 Million to upgrade Ferry Road at Kettering, if elected to government on 20 March.

Leader of the Opposition, Will Hodgman said: “This road is a vital link not only for residents of Bruny Island but also for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the island every year. It has remained in an embarrassing state of neglect under Labor for far too long.”

Like Tasmania’s road infrastructure across the state, it has been neglected by a Labor Government distracted by scandal and incompetence.

The area designated for cars, trucks, campervans and boat trailers waiting to board the ferry is completely inadequate. This inadequacy leads not only to safety issues for pedestrians, but also congestion issues for residents and business owners on Ferry Road during peak periods.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government, Infrastructure Tasmania would work with local communities and councils to establish ongoing local road priorities, to ensure that roads such as Ferry Road are not continually ignored.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Jeremy Rockliff said: “We will provide $8 Million not only to widen and expand Ferry Road and provide a better waiting area for vehicles, but we will also complete water and sewerage infrastructure in the area. This work will be commenced in the 2010-11 financial year.”

Both the State and Federal Labor Governments have ignored Ferry Road for far too long and only a Hodgman Liberal Government will give residents the road they deserve.

The upgrade would include:

• Rebuilding of the loading area to better accommodate vehicles waiting to board the ferry and return the surrounding area to a fully functioning marina, rather than a car yard.
• Repair of the existing water and sewerage infrastructure, which is below sub-standard. The current situation of runoff sewerage pouring into Little Oyster Bay is completely unacceptable and demands immediate attention.
• Construction of proper footpaths in the area leading to the ferry loading area. Currently, pedestrians must walk on gravel road verges on either side of the road, negotiating oncoming traffic in the process.

Will Hodgman and his Liberal team recognise the importance of regional roads.

Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges failed to secure one cent of the $22 Billion handed out by the Federal Government in 2009 for major special infrastructure projects, showing his complete lack of understanding of priorities in his own portfolio.

TAS Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’ Brien

New Main Roads’ office in Albany opens for business

Victor P Taffa

Main Roads WA has a new administration complex in the Great Southern region.

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’Brien today officially opened the new building, which is located at the intersection of Chester Pass Road and Kelly Street in Albany.

“This office, and the staff based in Albany, services the Great Southern region maintaining important links in Western Australia’s road and transport network, as well as the State-wide responsibility for timber bridges on WA roads,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The former office buildings were built in the 1960s and no longer viable in terms of economic maintenance. Their replacement was necessary to enable Main Roads to provide a more efficient and professional service to the region.”

The project which was completed on budget was designed by Hassell Architects and built by Esperance-based company SIME Building and Construction.

“The building has been designed to achieve a 4.5 star energy rating and incorporates a host of Greenstar design initiatives, which will reduce long term operating costs and provide a more environmentally-sustainable building,” the Minister said.

“Some of these include built-in natural ventilation, sun shading devices to block the northern sun, natural light via internal courtyard, window glazing, rainwater tanks, motion sensor lighting and a mixed mod ventilation system.”

Mr O’Brien said that using local companies throughout the construction brought many employment benefits to the region and was a further example of the State Government’s willingness to service regional communities.

“The new Main Roads Great Southern office will ensure the public have access to professional staff and efficient services in this expanding region of the State,” Mr. O’Brien said.

New Albany office open

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’ Brien

Reid Highway extension on target

Victor P Taffa

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’Brien said today that construction of the Reid Highway extension from West Swan Road to Great Northern Highway was fast approaching a successful completion.

Mr O’Brien said the $101 million project, being undertaken under contract by Macmahon Contractors, would be open to traffic towards the end of February.

“The State Government is determined to deliver infrastructure projects that facilitate future economic growth and improve road safety,” he said.

The Minister said the project involved the construction of 2.6km of dual carriageway between West Swan Road and Great Northern Highway in Middle Swan; the provision of a road underpass and service road to facilitate safe local access; and significant improvements to the signalised intersection at Great Northern Highway.

It also involved building a new road bridge across the Swan River, designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic and a separate shared path facility.

Mr O’Brien said most of the structural work was finished and the emphasis was now on asphalting the roads, erecting safety barriers and installing street lighting and traffic signals.

Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban said residents and businesses in the area were eagerly awaiting the completion of this project.

“Delivery of this project will provide significant benefits to the Swan Valley for both residents and business and will be welcomed by all,” Mr Alban said.

Frank Alban Swan Hills MLA

The Minister thanked motorists for their patience and courtesy during construction, which often necessitated temporary changes to traffic flows, particularly during modifications to the Great Northern Highway intersection.

“Ultimately, this work will help reduce road congestion, improve access to areas of potential employment and residential growth and provide improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists,” Mr O’Brien said

The Government of Western Australia is committed to delivering fully funded road projects without the need for a Toll charge.

NSW Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO RTA FENCE SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR GOVERNMENT

Victor P Taffa

Despite community calls for safety alternatives to be pursued, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has announced it will start building a pedestrian fence in Seaforth on Wednesday, Manly MP Mike Baird said.

“The community’s resounding opposition to the way this issue has been handled should be a lesson to the NSW Government to do things properly, instead of foisting changes on a community,” Mr Baird said.

Manly MP and NSW Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

“While no one wants to see pedestrians injured, many remain unconvinced the fence is the only safety option.

Community seeks consultation

“There is no doubt the RTA has botched this from the start, with residents and businesses only consulted after the decision had been made.

“Despite receiving a petition of more than 1000 signatures, it is disappointing the Transport Minister has been silent on the issue.

Concord Road Rhodes median fence

“At a minimum the Seaforth community deserves an explanation of the evidence that the fence is required and an assurance that all other safety measures have been investigated and there is nothing else that will work.

“Safety is paramount and we rely on the experts to provide it, however the community should not be sidelined in the process.”

Concord Road Rhodes median fence with Fire Station gap

Mr Baird said he would join local residents, shop owners and the Seaforth Precinct to work to minimise the impact of the fence on the Seaforth village.

“We will monitor ongoing impacts to local businesses and residents and we will push for a further consideration of ongoing safety options.

Rhodes Fire Station, Concord Road Rhodes, Sydney meets OH&S standards in 2010

“Some residents have expressed concern to me that the fence may even increase injuries, where pedestrians will now be funneled – hopefully this will not be the case.

“The RTA has advised it will amend the No U-turn sign on Sydney Road in Seaforth so motorists will be per mitted to do a U-turn outside of peak hours by the end of the month.

“While the community did not achieve the desired outcome in relation to the fence, the RTA’s relaxation of the U-turn ban is a small victory for people power,” Mr Baird said.

At face value either the NSW Minister for Roads and Transport David Campbell is out of his depth on the issue of pedestrian fences or the RTA is keeping the Minister in the dark.

On Victoria Road Drummoyne the pedestrian fence has been removed on a six lane road. The removal of this fence allows for State Transit buses to gain an extra 30 seconds travel time when the Iron Cove duplication is completed.

New fences have been erected on roads that are six lanes wide and divided by a wide concrete median strip. Examples of this are on Concord Road Rhodes, Centenary Drive Homebush and King Georges Road Beverly Hills to name a few.

Further to this administrative chaos is the apparent lack of will or desire to introduce a State-wide plan to install chain fences on all State Highways so as to reduce the mounting road toll. The standard response from the Government is that the installation of these fences “Requires road widening and is an engineering issue.”

The questions that must be asked of this 15 year old Government are:

What value does the Government place on the lives of its citizens?

Are Ministerial desks worth more than the lives of the State’s motorists?

Roads and Traffic Authority Initial 50 Safety Camera Locations January 2010

Victor P Taffa

According to exclusive information received by The Southern Thunderer the Roads and Traffic Authority are installing combined speed/red light cameras in Sydney. There are signs that say: ‘Safety camera in use’ and nothing about a speed camera with just the one sign as motorists approach it. Quite clearly the 15 year old NSW Labor Government is more concerned with revenue than saving lives.