Glen Iris set for latest roundabout

A new roundabout on South Western Highway in Glen Iris is among several projects for the region in a State Government cash boost focused on road safety.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti was in Bunbury yesterday to announce a raft of road safety initiatives as part of a $28.4 million WA Safer Roads Program.

The 24 regional projects include $300,000 for a roundabout at the South Western Highway and Vittoria Road intersection, the same amount for upgrades at Raymond Road between Australind and Roelands and more than $800,000 across other parts of the highway.

The program also includes $5.8 million to extend Bussell Highway’s dual carriageway and construct a roundabout at Fairway Drive in Busselton.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch said the financial commitment responded to the concerns raised by the community.

“The Minister announced funding for planning works to upgrade the intersection of Vittoria Road and South West Highway, which will start addressing a key concern about the road network for people living in Glen Iris and to the north of Bunbury,” Mr Punch said.

“This announcement comes hot on the heels of the Minister’s commitment to conduct a safety audit of Bussell Highway between Robertson Drive and Harewoods Road, a priority for people living in College Grove, Dalyellup and other suburbs to the south of Bunbury.

“In both instances the Minister has responded quickly and decisively to issues raised with me by members of our community and I thank her for listening to the Bunbury community.”

“I am really pleased the concerns of Bunbury people are being heard, taken seriously and addressed.”

Ms Saffioti said the initiative would make a “huge” difference.

“While many of us will travel on WA roads for our entire lives without being involved in a serious accident, the sad fact of vehicle travel is that it comes with an inherent risk,” she said.

“Safer Roads’ aim is to create more forgiving roads and roadside environments to reduce safety risks and the trauma and suffering of crash victims and their loved ones.

“Simple things like widening or realigning a problem stretch of road can make a huge difference.”