The 900 or so heavy vehicles using the intersection of the Great Northern Highway and Rutland Road in Bullsbrook are in for a smoother ride from this month.
The Western Australian government formally opened the new three-legged, single-lane roundabout on Monday, replacing a previously unsignalised T-junction.
Safety was the driving force for the intersection upgrade with the changes slowing all traffic as it enters the intersection to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance safety.
The $10.5 million project was funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account and delivered by Main Roads in close collaboration with the City of Swan.
WA’s Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says the upgrade is a win for safety in the area.
“This intersection is incredibly busy and sees more than 8,000 vehicles every day, with around 11 per cent of these being heavy vehicles,” Saffioti says.
“The previous unsignalised layout was no longer sustainable or safe, given the significant increase in vehicle numbers we have seen.
“The upgrade at this vital Bullsbrook location will mean smoother journey times for all commuters, and in particular, the heavy vehicle industry.”
The WA government says that during construction, the project recorded strong Aboriginal workforce participation of over 12 per cent, and over five per cent of the total project spend with Supply Nation registered businesses.
It also says that about 7,500 sqm of carefully selected tube stock species have also been planted across the project footprint – designed to establish during the winter months and mature without the need for manual watering to reduce water use.
WA Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby says the upgrade was funded through the State Government’s Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA) which receives 100 per cent of the revenue resulting from photographic speed and red-light camera fines.
“It is pleasing to see money from the RTTA being utilised for important road safety initiatives such as this project, which will make the journey safer for road users in this north-eastern precinct,” Whitby says.