Amongst the usual failed promises, projects not delivered and mystifying admissions of incompetence (like how the hell the 3rd busiest cycling counter in the state can be out of action for 18 months due to a technical fault) was the newly announced concept of a "West Perth Veloway" (I say newly announced as, at the time of writing, the phrase has never been indexed by Google as having ever been used online).
Whilst still only a concept it is an interesting idea which is well and truly overdue. Though I must question how much "stakeholder consultation" has occurred when the concept has not once been mentioned online.2017-2018 WABN Annual Report wrote:During 2017-18, DoT worked with Main Roads to undertake feasibility and concept planning for the West Perth Veloway. The proposed veloway is a grade separated link between the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeway PSPs running through the western end of the Perth CBD area.
When constructed, the veloway would;
* provide a safe, seamless connection between the Mitchell and Kwinana Freeway PSPs, while improving connectivity to other key walking and cycling routes such as the Fremantle Railway PSP, the Roe Street PSP, the Wellington Street cycleway and Harvest Terrace protected bike lane;
* improve accessibility to and from CBD workplaces, particularly for people living in Perth’s northern suburbs;
* significantly reduce journey times for north-south cycling trips across Perth through the creation of a more direct route and the ability to bypass five sets of traffic signals; and
* improve safety at busy CBD intersections which are currently serviced by at grade crossings and a very narrow shared path. These locations can be particularly hazardous for vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) in their current form.
Stakeholder consultation to discuss concept drawings has begun, with urban design principals discussed with the Office of Government Architect. Various funding sources are being considered to take the concept to the next planning stage.