Major Safety Overhaul for Notorious Perth Road After Tragic Incidents
The Federal Government has announced a substantial investment to address one of Western Australia's most hazardous road corridors. A critical 5.2-kilometre section of Neaves Road, running through the City of Wanneroo in Perth's northern suburbs, will undergo a comprehensive widening project as part of a multimillion-dollar safety initiative.
Details of the Transformative Upgrade
The ambitious project will focus on the stretch between Old Yanchep Road and Meadowlands Drive. Currently measuring nine metres in width, the road will be expanded to 12.5 metres. This significant enhancement will allow for the installation of a one-metre-wide median strip, complemented by 1.5-metre sealed shoulders on each side. The driving lanes themselves will be widened to a generous 3.75 metres, providing motorists with improved visibility and greater manoeuvring space.
Substantial Financial Commitment from Multiple Levels of Government
Federal Pearce MHR Tracey Roberts confirmed on Friday that the Commonwealth Government is committing $3.75 million to this vital infrastructure project. In a collaborative funding model, the City of Wanneroo is matching this contribution with an additional $3.75 million, bringing the total investment to $7.5 million. This partnership underscores the project's importance to local and national road safety priorities.
A Road with a Dangerous Reputation
The urgent need for this upgrade is starkly highlighted by Neaves Road's alarming safety record. In a comprehensive survey conducted by the RAC last year, which garnered over 18,000 public nominations, the section of Neaves Road from Banksia Grove to Bullsbrook was identified as the ninth-most risky road in the entire state of Western Australia.
This ranking was tragically validated by two separate fatal incidents in a short period. In August of last year, a 39-year-old man lost his life in Mariginiup when his vehicle left Neaves Road and collided with a tree. Merely weeks prior, a 40-year-old man died following a collision between his Toyota Camry and a Mack truck towing three trailers on the same perilous corridor.
Government Focus on Safety and Community Benefit
MHR Tracey Roberts emphasised the government's ongoing commitment to working with state, territory, and local authorities to deliver critical road upgrades. "In partnership with the City of Wanneroo, we are making a significant investment in improving road safety and productivity," Roberts stated. "It is great to see Neaves Road from Old Yanchep Road to Meadowlands Drive in Mariginiup receive the funding it needs to ensure a safer, smoother journey for the many residents who use the road."
This major upgrade represents a proactive response to community concerns and statistical data, aiming to transform a known danger zone into a safer arterial route for the growing northern suburbs of Perth.
