DRIVERS using the new Mitchell Fwy extension need to be aware there will still be some roadworks happening including ongoing lane and ramp closures at the Neerabup Rd northbound on-ramp.
Another area Main Roads said it needed to work on after the opening was the Hester Ave and Wanneroo Rd intersection.
Main Roads WA said final line marking works, safety checks and traffic management were completed on Thursday night before the freeway extension prior to morning peak hour traffic on Friday, August 4 .
On its website Main Roads said the work included temporary line marking at Burns Beach Rd that would direct traffic onto the new section of freeway.
“Final line marking will be installed at a later date,’’ the website said.
On Friday the McGowan and Turnbull governments put aside their squabbles about Western Australia’s GST pain long enough to bask in the official opening of the freeway extension.
The $236 million project was 80 per cent funded by the federal government and 20 per cent by the state government.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the extension coupled with the enterprise of Western Australians would create new jobs, tackle congestion and grow the state’s economy.
“Less time in traffic allows motorists to spend more time with their families or more time at work,’’ he said.
“It means quicker, safer and cheaper commuting for individuals and businesses.”
Premier Mark McGowan said travel times through the area were expected to decrease by about 60 per cent on average and would help stimulate further investment in the north of Perth.
Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said the freeway extension provided a direct route between the suburbs north of Wanneroo and Joondalup and the Perth central business district.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the improvements to the Mitchell Fwy were part of a comprehensive plan to address congestion and create jobs.
“Access to the growing outer northern suburbs will be further bolstered by the future Metronet rail line to Yanchep,” she said.
