THE 2021 closure of Pipidinny Rd is still planned, pending approval from the City of Wanneroo, according to Main Roads WA.
On December 9 in Pipidinny Rd to close while Eglinton station works undertaken Yanchep News Online reported that Pipidinny Rd between Marion Ave and Wanneroo Rd will close for about nine months next year as part of the Metronet Yanchep rail extension project.
After a press conference in Alkimos yesterday morning Yanchep News Online told Transport Minister Rita Saffioti that the closure of Pipidinny Rd would place a lot of pressure on the Yanchep Beach Rd intersection with Wanneroo Rd and Indian Ocean Dr.
Ms Saffioti said the possibility of a diversion on Pipidinny Rd was being discussed with no decision yet.
Main Roads WA media manager Dean Roberts said keeping Pipidinny Rd open would necessitate several short-term closures over a year or more, constant traffic management delays and safety risks for residents and workers.
“The closure of Pipidinny Rd will take 11 months off the construction timeline and minimise how long residents are disrupted by the works,’’ he said.
The City of Wanneroo, which is assessing feedback following public comment on the proposal, has to approve the closure before any decision is made about the possibility of a diversion.
Main Roads WA statistics show 18 crashes have been reported at the Pipidinny Rd and Wanneroo Rd intersection during the five years to 2019.
None of the crashes, of which 77 per cent happened on a right angle, were recorded as fatal.
About 9000 vehicles use this section of Wanneroo Rd each day with about 2922 vehicles entering/exiting Wanneroo Rd from/onto Pipidinny Rd – see the graph below.
In this section of Wanneroo Rd about 2922 vehicles enter or exit Pipidinny Rd each day. Graphic: Main Roads WAIn August concerns were raised about the Yanchep Beach Rd intersection with Wanneroo Rd-Indian Ocean Dr.
Mr Roberts said statistics for the past five years to the end of December 2019 showed a total of nine crashes for the intersection.
Main Roads WA has estimated more than 7000 vehicles a day will enter/exit Wanneroo Rd-Indian Ocean Dr via Yanchep Beach Rd in 2020-21.
