"Just about everyone who lives in Mandurah has at one point asked themselves: 'Why do we have a three lane bridge?'."
That is the words of Canning MP Andrew Hastie, who today announced $55 million for the Mandurah Estuary Bridge duplication.
This comes following WA Labor announcing $55 million for an additional bridge to tackle congestion saying the federal government was expected to match that amount in its pre-election commitments.
When the Mail last spoke to Mandurah MP David Templeman he said he intended to meet with Mr Hastie to discuss the federal government matching funding.
"This is going to be a very important piece of infrastructure for people in all parts of Mandurah because this is a key connector across the estuary for those travelling from the south to the north," he said.
"It will also mean freeing traffic pressure points up further along Old Coast Road.
"It is going to free up people's time in Dawesville and other parts of Mandurah."
The bridge was originally designed so another could be built alongside it.
The construction of Forrest Highway alleviated the urgency but with the booming population of southern Mandurah suburbs, from Dawesville to Halls Head, commuters are facing congestion on the now three-lane bridge again during morning and evening peak hours.
In 2017-18 about 27,800 vehicles per day drove on the bridge and predictions show traffic will worsen over the next 10-15 years.
Mr Hastie said the additional bridge had been a long time coming.
"Whether it's made you late to work, late to school, or late home to your family, the three lane bridge is frustrating and doesn't make sense," he said.
"The bridge duplication will add two additional lanes, easing congestion for motorists and creating better access for cyclists and pedestrians.
"And with matching funding committed by the state government - following a long campaign by local Liberals - this dream will finally become a reality."
At a structure of 12-metres wide and up to 400-metres in length the new bridge is estimated to cost $110 million, which includes the construction works, works to tie-in the approaches onto and off the bridge and associated road works.
Construction is set to begin in early 2022 and finished by mid 2025.
