Fremantle High Street upgrade

Construction has begun on the $118 million High Street and Stirling Highway intersection upgrade in Fremantle.

The joint Australian and WA government project will bust congestion and dramatically improve safety along a 1.5km section of High Street between Carrington Street and Stirling Highway, with construction and design works being undertaken by outstanding WA builder Georgiou.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said, "2020 is shaping up to be a huge year for public infrastructure construction across Western Australia.

"The start of the High Street upgrade will complement the huge array of projects that are part of our job-creating transport plan for WA, including METRONET.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the upgrade would be a boost for the 15 per cent to over 20 per cent, developing intermodals, and planning for the new Fremantle traffic and rail corridor solution to replace the current Fremantle Traffic Bridge."

About 700 jobs will be created during construction, which will include: • A new roundabout at the intersection of High Street and Stirling Highway • Widened median on High Street to separate traffic lanes and maximise mature tree preservation • Single-lane one-way service road for residents on the northern side of High Street • New underpass at the junction of Forrest Street and Stirling Highway • New underpass at the junction of Montreal Street and High Street

In the five years to 2018, there were 282 crashes along this section of High Street, including some truck rollovers at the High

local economy with hundreds of new jobs created during construction.

"We also know that this intersection has become notorious for truck rollovers and the upgrade will mean a safer journey for locals and truck drivers," Mr Tudge said. The upgrade is part of the Morrison Government's strategy to bust congestion in Western Australia which includes $13.6 billion committed since coming to office in 2013.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "This upgrade will reduce travel times along High Street by improving traffic flow through the busy High Street and Stirling Highway intersection.

"It joins an extensive list of southern suburb road projects that are currently under construction and will deliver major time savings once completed.

"We will continue to alleviate pressure on roads by boosting freight on rail from

WATM • March 2020 Street and Stirling Highway intersection.

The new roundabout has been designed to include bypass lanes that will separate local traffic from traffic going to and from Fremantle Port, or locations north of the river. These intersection changes will improve efficiency and address safety concerns with the current intersection, including reducing the risk of truck rollovers.

Residents living in properties on the northern side of High Street will now have a dedicated single-lane service road, affording them safer access and separation from the main road.

The Australian Government is providing $73.6 million and the WA Government $44.4 million for the upgrade.

In this area, the Australian and WA governments have also committed $230 million to build a replacement corridor solution to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.

Nominations for the 2020 National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year are now open, recognising the amazing women in trucking who make strong professional or personal contributions to the industry. As well as receiving national recognition for their achievement, the award winner will win a one-week international travel package for visit the Cummins factory in the United States.

Nominations for the 2020 National Trucking Industry Awards are also open in the following categories: • Outstanding Contribution to the Trucking Industry • National Professional Driver of the Year • National Training Excellence Award Award winners will be announced at the ATA’s Trucking Australia conference, held in Cairns from 1-3 April. Nominations close 5 March 2020.