ONE of the biggest infrastructure projects in Western Australia’s history will be officially opened this Sunday morning.
After being in the planning stages for years, being the subject of many political and funding debates, the Perth to Bunbury Highway is set to become a reality.
It features a 32km extension of the Kwinana Freeway from Baldivis to Pinjarra Road and the 38km Forrest Highway from Pinjarra Road to current dual carriageway on Old Coast Road.
The two sections of road will dramatically reduce the travel time for motorists between Perth and the South West.
Experts believe motorists will enjoy a time saving of up to 30 minutes on the traditional two-hour journey between Perth and Bunbury.
The new road will also reduce the number of vehicles that travel through Mandurah on the Old Coast Road and through Pinjarra on the South West Highway.
More than 3000 people worked on the massive project that cost more than $700million to complete.
Local authorities have welcomed the introduction of the highway.
Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey said it would relieve a lot of the congestion of heavy vehicles through the area.
“We also believe that it will reduce the regular peak holiday period traffic gridlock in and around the city,” Mayor Creevey said.
“I believe that this new road will improve the amenity and accessibility within Mandurah by easing some of these traffic pressures.
“This will allow visitors and residents to enjoy the shops, cafés, restaurants and other attractions that we have to offer without having to face heavy traffic.”
Mayor Creevey said the City would watch with interest to see if predictions of traffic patterns changing in the area but believed there would be no significant long-term economic impacts.
“In fact, our findings are that any short-term impacts are offset by longer-term economic development opportunities and improvements in public health and safety.”
Murray Shire president Noel Nancarrow expects the Forrest Highway to be the catalyst for a great deal of change in the region.
“It will really open up the Peel and Murray regions,” he said.
“Murray has been a well-kept secret as to how nice it is here.”
With easier and more convenient access to both Perth and the South West, Cr Nancarrow expected an increase in the local population and they were planning for it now.
“We have been told we will be the fastest growing region in Western Australia,” Cr Nancarrow said.
“We have got employment in the area and the mining industry is a major attraction.
“There’s no reason people won’t base themselves here and commute to Perth, and those in Perth commute to work here.”
Peel Development Commission chief executive Maree De Lacey said the road would introduce exciting new prospects to the region’s doorstep.
“Peel has many beautiful natural attractions, great food and wine, with much to appeal to visitors and locals,” Ms De Lacey said.
“Any time is the perfect time, particularly for city residents, to get reacquainted with the Peel region and experience everything it has to offer.
“We are far enough from the capital to retain our rural identity but close enough that visitors can hop in their car and in less than an hour they can exit the highway, drive east to visit Pinjarra, Boddington or Serpentine Jarrahdale, link south to visit Waroona or head west to the coast to taste what Mandurah has on offer.”
Ms De Lacey said it was a great example of a partnership between the Commonwealth and State Governments, with industry, to bring the $705million project to fruition.
For a more indepth look at the highway see the special 20-page lift-out in today’s edition of the Mandurah Mail.
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