The planned Perth to Darwin Highway will have a new road out of Perth, with authorities supporting a realignment that will bypass Lord Street and see a new road intersect the Tonkin Highway and Reid Highway connection.
Previously, the route was to begin at the intersection of Lord Street and Reid Highway in Middle Swan, north along the western side of Lord Street and through the western perimeter of Ellenbrook. It would then meander north-east to Maralla Road in Bullsbrook, bypassing the residential area.
At its meeting last week, the City of Swan agreed to provide in-principle support for the revised alignment by Main Roads WA.
A Main Roads’ review indicated the new option – with the yet-to-be-built road to head north from the Tonkin and Reid highways junction – would reduce the social impact on residential properties and provide a more direct route to most industrial areas.
It means highway traffic will bypass Lord Street, but funding for any future upgrades of the road would be the responsibility of the City of Swan, not the Federal Government.
As reported in the Advocate two weeks ago, the State Government will upgrade the Lord Street-Reid Highway intersection with through lanes, extra turning pockets and much-needed traffic lights.