While the current status of Peel Street roadworks has left many residents scratching their heads, the City of Mandurah has shed some light on the issue.
Residents have written in to the Mail and in online forums questioning the purpose of the changes and whether the design was an improvement or a case of wasted ratepayers money.
"Total waste of ratepayers money, can't see any benefits and considering the time it took to complete. The road is more dangerous now than it was before," Mandurah Q&A member Wayne Groves said.
His sentiments were shared by many others.
"Peel Street is the new Dower Street or so it seems," resident Kyra Nicholson wrote. "They'll decide all of the islands are nonsensical some time in the next six months and rip them up."
But a City of Mandurah spokesperson said the works were part of a larger project.
"When finished, these [roadworks] will complete road reconstruction and widening of the east-west road link from Mandurah Transit Station to the City Centre.
"Peel Street is a main entry road to Mandurah and in the early half of 2020, the City started upgrading Peel Street between Anstruther Road and Sutton Street.
"This continued on from the work that was previously completed east of Anstruther Road."
The project is set to be completed in stages over several years due to funding constraints.
"Officers understand that the current road alignment may look unconventional however, the City is working to a plan that will eventually see Peel Street, from Anstruther Road to Sutton Street, reflect the same structure as Allnutt Street to the east," the spokesperson explained.
The first stage (between Anstruther Road and Randell Street) and the second stage (between Forrest Street and Randell Street) have been completed to provide the northern lane configuration and proposed central medians.
This also includes a temporary shared path arrangement.
The current dual use path and medians will provide the buffer to construction activities on later stages.
There are also plans to run power lines underground, starting late this year, after which the southern dual lanes will be constructed.
The City has received additional funding for the underground work.
"Once this is completed the road can be extended to its final design. This work will accelerate the time period to complete the works over the next two years," the spokesperson said.
"By doing it in stages we can work with the external funding provided by the State and Federal Governments as well as minimise impact to the public and install new infrastructure including public utilities."
The project has been estimated to cost about $4.5 million, including sinking power lines by Western Power.
About $3m of the total project cost is being provided by the state and federal governments, with the remainder coming from the City.
Another concern brought up by residents on Peel Street was skateboarders who put their own safety and that of drivers at risk by using the new islands, particularly at night.
"Local skaters use the humps at night, nearly run over them a few times," Mandurah Q&A user Noelene Underwood wrote.
The City spokesperson said they had not been made aware of the activity and encouraged the community to report this type of behaviour to the police.
