Major road works undertaken by the Town of Cambridge, in The Boulevard, Floreat between Empire Avenue and Floreat Avenue, have been recognised with a recent State award.
The Town was awarded the Western Australian Local Government Association Excellence in Road Safety Award for Engineering Solutions over $50,000 (Metropolitan category). Town of Cambridge Chief Executive Officer, Graham Partridge, said the award winning project covered a 700 kilometre section of road involving a combination of intersections.
Some 144 traffic accidents in five years and a poor flow on to District Distributor roads were major issues. Following initial research, data collection and the development of a formal community consultation, the project included the following works.
- Two x two lane roundabouts
- A single lane roundabout
- A signalised intersection
- Median modifications to better manage traffic entering and leaving the adjacent shopping centre
- The redesign of street lighting, driveways, extensive landscaping and pedestrian facilities.
“The project overcame a series of Black Spot problems, improved access to the shopping centre, accommodated school children crossing a busy road in safety, and improved the local amenity in the form of underground power and additional landscaping,” said Graham Partridge.
Council was assisted in the completion of this project by consultants Connell Wagner and Marsh Earthmoving. Works were completed over a 12 month period at a total cost of $1.5 million.
The Shire of Dardanup won the rural category for Engineering Solutions Over $50,000 with its Eaton Drive/Hamilton Road Roundabout Project. With a number of reported accidents over the last four years, as well as increased traffic at one of Dardanup Shire’s main intersections, Council looked for a way to address this situation.
“Over the past four years there have been five reported right hand accidents at the intersection of Hands Avenue and Eaton Drive,” said Dardanup’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Chester. “Increased traffic on Eaton Drive forced the issue for the intersection to be modified.”
After a lengthy public consultation process and the assessment of impacts upon flora and fauna, which were concerns raised by the community regarding the native possum population, the Eaton Drive/Hamilton Road Roundabout was constructed.
“Not only has the design solution solved the issue of traffic management through this juncture, the tree clearing was kept to a minimum and the new left hand turning lane into Hands Avenue has also proven successful,” said Mark Chester.
Council’s award was collected by the Technical Services Manager, Laurie Brereton, who congratulated all staff involved in the project.
Twenty-three Councils entered this year’s Excellence in Road Safety Awards.
For further information on the Cambridge project, contact Graham Partridge on (08) 9347 6010, and the Dardanup Roundabout Project, contact Mark Chester on (08) 9724 0006.
