Is there a significant source of traffic for which that option would be preferable to other (existing) roads? Coming from Waterloo Corner Road, turning north at Port Wakefield Road would seem to be adequate, as there are currently no further traffic lights between there and the Northern Expressway interchange.mawsonguy wrote:I questioned DPTI about the current published plans for the interchanges which showed no ability for west bound traffic on PREXY and Waterloo Corner Rd to turn and travel north on the Northern Connector. This was their response:
.. the current design will cater for traffic travelling from the west wanting to access the Northern Connector and travel in a northerly direction at the Port River Expressway and Waterloo Interchanges.
The project team have been working with a wide range of key stakeholders to further develop the design at the interchanges. Detailed design will be developed with the main contractor (expected to be awarded April 2016). All feedback provided from the community is considered by the project team when progressing the design and project updates will be email to the interested community .
The Preliminary Concept Design on the DPTI website actually shows west/north from Waterloo Corner Road, it is missing the corresponding south/east option. It also shows the realigned Kings/Bolivar Roads alignment discussed above, but with north off/south on ramps only, retaining PWR for traffic to that area too.
extension in Perth at one point was expected to cost $740m. ~$500m is now budgeted for the build and there's been media speculation that the contract might be as low as $400m. Another Perth road project though (Northlink WA) though is using contract cost savings to upscale project components so there's also the extent that's occurred with the Northern Connector. The interchange bridge to Bolivar Road is an example that comes to mind. 