New congestion-busting bus tunnel for city
Transport Minister Dean Nalder today unveiled a congestion-easing plan to improve traffic flow through the city by introducing a second entry to the new Perth Busport.
The Wellington Street entrance will be built as part of the underground Perth Busport project and is expected to be operational in mid-2016. Mr Nalder said the project would benefit motorists, public transport users as well as pedestrians.
“Planning for the project began in 2010 and the State Government, through the Public Transport Authority (PTA), has been collaborating with key stakeholders on its design, impact to Wellington Street and construction co-ordination,” the Minister said.
The 60 metre-long entrance tunnel will start west of William Street and be completely underground before it reaches Queen Street. The structure will be in the centre of Wellington Street which means the existing four lanes of traffic will be maintained.
“This entrance will have the potential to improve more than 130,000 bus passenger journeys in and out of the CBD each day,” Mr Nalder said.
“It will also benefit motorists along Wellington, William and Milligan streets because the buses will run underground.”
The existing entrance to the new Perth Busport was constructed during the Perth City Link rail works and connects to the Milligan Street bus bridge. The new component of the works will cost about $20million and will be funded from within the current $209million budget.
The PTA has consulted widely with key stakeholders, including the City of Perth.
Fact File:
- All buses to be removed from Wellington Street between William and Milligan streets (except CAT buses)
- 40% of buses to be removed from William Street
- Construction to coincide with the Wellington Street Enhancement Plan
- The construction will occur within the Perth Busport timeframe and expected to be operational by mid-2016
- Perth City Link will reconnect Perth’s CBD with Northbridge for the first time in more than 100 years and is funded by three tiers of Government - Commonwealth, State and local.