Contention over Perth gateway upgrades

Shadow transport minister Ken Travers has claimed the Barnett government has underfunded the cost of the $225 million revamp of Great Eastern Highway, taking the shine off transport minister Simon O'Brien's announcement of the project.

The project aims to increase the capacity of the road from four lanes to six, with the first stages to be completed between 2011 and 2013.

Mr O'Brien said "as one of the state's principal transport routes, it is vital that we upgrade this section of Great Eastern Highway to a six-lane dual carriageway to maximise the safety and efficiency of the road network."

"It is also important that the highway presents an attractive visual environment to create a favourable impression for visitors to Western Australia.

Mr O'Brien said the soon to be upgraded section of the Great Eastern Highway was currently operating beyond capacity, particularly during peak periods, and had a serious crash rate that was almost twice that of the State average.

"The upgrade will address these important issues and improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists with greater access and connectivity," he said.

Meanwhile Mr Travers referred to Mr O'Brien's admission last November that the $225million commitment, including $180million of federal funds and $45 million of state funding, was not enough to expand Great Eastern Highway from Kooyong Road in Rivervale to Tonkin Highway.

"Instead, the funding will only cover from Kooyong Road to Hardey Road, leaving almost two kilometres of the route announced by Transport Minister Simon O'Brien this morning unfunded," he said.

"The Minister must reveal how he is expecting to find the funds to carry out the rest of the much-needed upgrades."

Mr Travers said the Minister's statement today was not new news.

"The Minister has been sitting on $180million of federal funding for this project since the Barnett Government formed," he said.

"The $225million of current funding has been in the budget since 2008-09 and the acquisition and resumption of land has already begun. There is nothing to stop works from starting immediately.

"The timing of these works will now coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Minister must explain how the works will be managed during this important time for the State."

Member for Belmont Eric Ripper said he hoped the full project would unleash millions of dollars in private investment in new developments along the highway.

"The State Government needs to back up today's statement with the funds actually needed to take the highway project all the way to the Tonkin Highway," he said.

"The Minister should also acknowledge that the decision to fund this project was actually made by the Federal Labor Government and the previous State Labor Government.

"This is actually Kevin Rudd delivering on a promise he made in Opposition in 2007."