Opening of time-saving Manning Road on-ramp to Kwinana Freeway

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti joined Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons this morning, to officially open Perth’s newest southbound on-ramp to Kwinana Freeway in Como.

The new on-ramp is expected to significantly improve congestion at the Canning Highway interchange and reduce ‘rat-runs’ through the local road network.

More than 7,000 vehicles will use the new ramp daily, reducing traffic on Canning Highway and improving travel times by up to five minutes during peak hours.

This is the first new freeway entry built in Perth, onto an existing freeway, in over 40 years and has created approximately 100 direct and indirect jobs.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the project would bust congestion for drivers south of Perth.

“This is another great example of how we are completing construction on crucial infrastructure across Perth,” Mr Tudge said.

“As we come out of COVID the jobs that these projects create are crucial to WA and at the same time the funding needed for these projects boosts the local economy.”

Ms Saffioti said this completed project was another example of the McGowan Government delivering on its commitment to transform the southern suburbs road network.

“This on-ramp will be a game-changer for the more than 7,000 drivers we estimate will use this daily,” she said.

“As part of our congestion-busting road projects, the on-ramp will reduce traffic on Canning Highway, improving travel times by up to five minutes during peak hour southbound, which will no doubt be welcomed by commuters.

“The on-ramp will also reduce pressure on other parts of the road network, including around the bus interchange on Canning Highway, and Leach Highway, while complementing the many other upgrades underway on the Kwinana Freeway, which are creating local jobs and providing opportunities for local businesses.”

Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said the long anticipated wait for the Manning Road Off-Ramp was finally here after decades of planning and advocacy.

“I am proud to have played a role in finally delivering this on-ramp and securing $28 million of Federal Government funding on behalf of the local community, who have been calling for this upgrade since Main Roads originally drew up plans in the 1980s,” Mr Irons said.

“The project will help reduce congestion and improve safety at the Canning Bridge and Kwinana Freeway interchange.”

The single-lane southbound on-ramp will enhance connectivity for residents and road users in Como, Manning, Salter Point and Waterford and beyond.

The design makes future provision to increase capacity for the on-ramp to be two lanes when traffic demands require it.

The $35 million project was funded as part of the Australian and Western Australian Governments’ $2.3 billion investment package in job-creating, congestion-busting road and rail infrastructure works, announced in May 2017, and has been delivered on time and on budget.

Other works as part of the Kwinana Freeway Southbound On-Ramp from Manning Road project include:

• construction of a southbound freeway lane from the Canning Highway on-ramp to the Edgewater Road footbridge

• construction of a merge lane from the new on-ramp to the freeway, heading south

• sea bird public artworks on the freeway ramp walls, which will be completed in coming weeks

• a noisewall along Edgewater Road in Salter Point, and

• installation of cabling for future signals at Manning Road and Clydesdale Street intersection

/Public Release. View in full here.