A concept plan to improve safety and amenity at a key entry point to the Fremantle city centre has been endorsed by Fremantle Council’s Strategic Planning and Transport Committee.
The upgrade to the intersection of Queen Victoria Street, Parry Street and Adelaide Street involves simplifying the road layout, widening the footpaths, adding cycle lanes and introducing shared crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said in its current configuration the intersection was confusing and dangerous.
“That intersection is a dog’s breakfast, with roads and slip lanes converging from all angles and poorly defined pedestrian and cycle crossings,” Mayor Pettitt said.
“The City’s Integrated Transport Strategy and our newly updated Bike Plan identify the centre of Fremantle as a low-speed city core where cars, pedestrians and cyclists all share the space.
“The Queen Victoria Street intersection is an important transition point from a regular road into the low-speed central core, so the aim of the design is to reinforce that transition, reduce car speeds and increase awareness of cyclists and pedestrians.
“It will also make better use of the space around the Proclamation Tree, which at the moment is stranded in the middle of a traffic island, and generally create a more welcoming arrival experience.”
Key changes at the intersection include removing the slip lanes, reducing the width of approaching roads and widening the footpaths.
There will also be clearly defined crossings for pedestrians and cyclists with improved signals, as well as designated cycle lanes and head start areas.
In March the state government announced funding of $175,000 towards the project through a Perth Bike Network grant.
The next step in the project will be detailed design work to confirm accurate construction costs.
The project is likely to be implemented in stages. The earliest date for beginning stage one would be in the 2020-21 financial year, subject to additional Perth Bike Network funding and an allocation through the City’s annual budget process.
