The first of several major infrastructure projects that will help create Perth’s second CBD – the Stirling City Centre – is now complete.

The Mitchell Freeway’s new northbound lane between Cedric and Hutton Streets reached official completion today, enabling unimpeded access into the Stirling commercial hub.

The $16.5 million project created 50 jobs and will save drivers two minutes off their previous peak period journey – cutting travel time between Cedric to Hutton from eight minutes to six.

In the five years to December 31, 2019, there have been a total of 331 crashes recorded on Mitchell Freeway northbound between Hutton Street and Cedric Street, 68.9 per cent of which were rear-end in nature, suggesting congestion or driver inattention may have been involved.

The freeway upgrade is just one part of a package of works that will facilitate the development of the Stirling City Centre – a lively hub that will ultimately be home to 30,000 residents and 25,000 jobs.

The McGowan Labor Government is working with the Commonwealth and local governments to invest around $250 million to transform the area around Stirling City Centre into a METRONET-style hub, developed around key transport infrastructure such as road, rail and cycling connections.

Other works underway or in development to facilitate access to and from the Stirling City Centre include:

• $165 million towards Stephenson Avenue Extension Project with works underway on Stage 1 and Stage 2 to commence in mid-2021.
• $90 million upgrade of Stirling Bus Interchange. This will improve connectivity between the bus interchange and the station with the project anticipated to be completed by 2023.
• The $21 million Principal Shared Path Extension Civic Place to Erindale Road.

This is on top of the $140 million Smart Freeway upgrade of Mitchell Freeway from Hester Avenue to Vincent Street, with a tender to be released later this week. The technology has had success along the Kwinana Freeway northbound, between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge, with motorists saving up to 10 minutes during peak hour.

The Stirling City Centre plan stretches from Karrinyup Road, along Cedric Street and Ellen Stirling Boulevard to Scarborough Beach Road including the Innaloo shopping precinct, Stirling train station and the City’s Civic Complex.

The package of transport works underway will provide access to developable land for private investment in new homes, business and jobs.

Combined, the major infrastructure projects are creating and supporting 2,700 jobs.

Source – Link

Date published 11 January 2021