Question Without Notice No. 883 asked in the Legislative Council on 29 November 2017 by Hon Simon O’Brien
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY — CITY OF CANNING — BUS PRIORITY LANES 883. Hon SIMON O'BRIEN to the minister representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Public Transport Authority's proposal to initiate a transport corridor linking Fleming Avenue, Civic Gardens, Carden Drive and/or Richmond Street, Cannington.
(1) Will the minister table a map or plan to illustrate the project's scope?
(2) What is the purpose of this project; and, specifically, is it intended to accommodate bus routes or a future light rail route?
(3) What processes are yet to be completed before a final decision is made to proceed with the project?
(4) What is the budget for these works?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) I table the attached document.
[See paper 920.]
(2) The City of Canning developed a strategic transport plan in 2015 to address the long-term transport requirements for the Canning city centre and movements through and across the city. The plan included a proposal to re-establish the road connection between Fleming Avenue and Civic Gardens, which was closed in 2009, to improve the movement of bus passengers between the Cannington station, Carousel Shopping Centre and Curtin University that are severely impacted by heavy congestion between Manning Road and Cecil Avenue along Albany Highway. The Public Transport Authority supported the proposal and has worked with the city to investigate other bus priority options, including bus lanes on Manning Road and Albany Highway. The PTA concluded that the bus-only connection along Fleming Avenue proposed by the city will provide the greatest benefit to public transport passengers.
If approved by the city, the proposed 150-metre road connection would be a bus-only connection and used by routes 72, 101 and 509 bus services, allowing approximately 200 buses and 3 000 passengers a day to avoid the heavy congestion on Albany Highway.
Allowances have been made to ensure light rail is not designed out and therefore the connection is suitable should a decision be made in the future to operate light rail services to the Cannington city centre.
(3) The city will make a decision on the project at the December council meeting.
(4) The Public Transport Authority's contribution to the project is $2 million, which will see intersection works at the corner of George Street and Fleming Avenue, Civic Gardens and Carden Drive, Richmond Street and Albany Highway and 150 metres to reconnect Fleming Avenue to Civic Gardens.