❓ Question regarding safety enhancements on Toodyay Road, including speed limits, safety measures, costs, and clearing practices. The Minister's response addresses these concerns, outlining design speed, alternative safety measures, project timeline, and junction design rationale.
AnsweredQoN 1514Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the safety enhancements being made along the length of Toodyay Road and I ask: (a) has the business case to support Federal funding of this project been updated with the information that the road will maintain a 100km/h speed limit, rather than the expected 110 km/h: (i) if yes to (a), what changes has the speed limit made on the anticipated economic benefits; and (ii) if no to (a), why not; (b) sealed shoulders and rumble strips have been identified by the Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) as a low cost option to improve Killed and Serious Injured Index (KSI). What consideration was given to the installation of sealed shoulders and rumble strips as a safety measure in the agricultural parts of Toodyay Road: (i) was any comparison of the comparative costs and benefits of rumble strips and sealed shoulders versus clearing in the agricultural areas undertaken; (ii) if so, could those figures please be provided; (iii) how is the bush to be cleared valued in this cost-benefit analysis; and (iv) if not, why not; (c) given that inflation is pushing up the cost of this project, are there any elements of the project that could be reconsidered due to cost; (d) If yes, please state what; and (e) what is the reasoning behind clearing 2km on either side of the Fernie Road junction instead of widening the junction sufficiently to install a turning lane for turning right into Fernie Road: (i) would the Minister consider a turning lane instead of further clearing (as happened at the Sandplain and Salt Valley Road junction); and (ii) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 September 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
7 days
(a) The road is being designed to accommodate a speed limit of 110km/h, consistent with the Business Case.
(b) Provision of sealed shoulders and rumble strips alone would not provide the desired safety improvements in this location.
Main Roads have received the required environmental approvals for this project and have undertaken substantial revegetation along Toodyay Road above and beyond approval requirements.
(c)-(d) The State Government intends to deliver the remaining upgrades to Toodyay Road by late-2026.
(e) This is to accommodate eastbound and westbound passing lanes, which are critical to reduce conflict between vehicles turning into and out of Fernie Road.
(b) Provision of sealed shoulders and rumble strips alone would not provide the desired safety improvements in this location.
Main Roads have received the required environmental approvals for this project and have undertaken substantial revegetation along Toodyay Road above and beyond approval requirements.
(c)-(d) The State Government intends to deliver the remaining upgrades to Toodyay Road by late-2026.
(e) This is to accommodate eastbound and westbound passing lanes, which are critical to reduce conflict between vehicles turning into and out of Fernie Road.
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