A petition to widen Shelley Bridge, launched by Liberal Candidate for the State seat of Riverton Amanda Spencer-Teo, has now attracted nearly 1,000 signatures.
In an effort to improve safety and mitigate ongoing congestion during peak hours on Leach Highway, Ms Spencer-Teo is calling on the State and Federal Governments to fund the widening of the bridge.
Ms Spencer-Teo, who is also a City of Canning councillor, said she believes the scrapped Roe 8 project has significantly contributed to ongoing congestion issues along Leach Highway.
“Just like every single local resident, I have to deal with the congestion and safety issues along Leach Highway every day because I am a local resident too, and regrettably, nothing has been done since Labor cancelled Roe 8 because our decision makers aren’t local and don’t understand the issues,” she said.
“In a matter of several weeks, the petition to widen Shelley Bridge has almost attracted 1,000 local signatures, whilst the Member for Riverton has been focusing on spending $5 million of taxpayers’ money to limit access to our communities.”
Following community consultation, Main Roads is set to modify several intersections along Leach Highway at Fifth Avenue, Beatrice Avenue, and Corinthian Road as part of a related initiative aimed at improving safety on the highway.
Speaking to the Examiner Newspapers, Dr Jags Krishnan, the Member for Riverton, expressed his support for the widening of Shelley Bridge and stated that he has met with the City of Canning Mayor and chief executive to discuss it.
He believes Ms Spencer-Teo isn’t genuinely prioritising safety along Leach Highway, as she opposes the proposed intersection modifications.
“The Liberal candidate talks about safety and congestion on Leach Highway but is working against the community’s wishes to make the intersection at Fifth Avenue and Leach Highway safer,” Dr Jags said.
“Disturbingly, we have just yesterday (Tuesday, October 15) seen another nasty crash at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Leach Highway involving an overturned vehicle.”
Dr Jags called for clarification from the WA Liberal Party regarding their stance on the widening of the bridge and said he believes local congestion is improving.
“I’d call on the Liberals to be honest with locals – are they committed to the Shelley Bridge Duplication project and what is the cost?” he said.
“Projects like the new Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange and the Manning Road on-ramp to Kwinana Freeway have helped ease congestion along Leach Highway, so I’m focussed on delivering my election commitment to improve safety.”
In an effort to take freight off roads, a new $25 million train freight transfer terminal recently opened in Kenwick, funded partly by both the State and Federal Governments.
The terminal is expected to facilitate the movement of around 200,000 containers annually by rail between Fremantle Port, the future Westport, and Kenwick, resulting in an estimated reduction of 135,000 truck journeys each year, including on Leach Highway.
Despite the recent infrastructure upgrades, Ms Spencer-Teo said residents are still regularly raising congestion and safety issues with her, and she believes it’s important that those who have concerns sign the petition.
“If you’re tired of being stuck in queues along Leach Highway and have yet to sign the petition, I encourage you to do so today,” she said.
The petition is expected to be tabled before both State and Federal Parliament later this year.
