New and better defined merge lanes will be placed on Perth freeway on-ramps from January, helping to improve safety and reduce congestion.
Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said in a statement that the new lines will be placed between freeway on-ramps and traffic lanes. “The new merge lines are one of the many initiatives of the Traffic Congestion Management Program in Perth, one of nine projects receiving a total of $499.1 million in Australian Government funding under the WA Infrastructure Projects National Partnership,” he said.
“The works include installing new merge lines at on-ramps to prompt motorists to get up to speed and merge into freeway traffic in the same way they would if they were changing lanes. This replaces the current practice of travelling to the end of the merge lane in order to join the freeway traffic.”
Western Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder said in the statement that the improvements would take place over the next few months at all on-ramp merge points on the Kwinana and Mitchell freeways.
“To be frank, West Australians do not have a great reputation when it comes to merging. By adopting smarter transport options, we can improve merging, reduce congestion and enhance safety,” Mr. Nalder said.
“A total of $8.5 million will be spent on implementing new on-ramp configurations at over 70 locations on our freeways and highways to help keep traffic moving and our roads safer.
“The changes to on-ramps follow a trial conducted in 2014 by Main Roads at on-ramp locations on the Kwinana Freeway. The trial saw positive results with fewer incidents at merge points and reduced congestion.”
Mr. Nalder said that the new merge lines will be completed at all on-ramp merge points on the Kwinana and Mitchell freeways by April 2016.