WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
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Sam Laybutt
Nov 22, 2010, 6:25:42 AM11/22/10
to aussie highways
Hi everyone,
Hepburn Avenue is a pretty major east-west arterial road in northern Perth, generally paralleling the Reid Highway about 5km to the north. Hepburn Avenue originally terminated at Wanneroo Road in the east, and was numbered State Route 82.
However, there has long been a reservation to extend this road eastwards and then to the south, meeting Reid Highway at or near its junction with Tonkin Highway. Unfortunately, Main Roads has not done any proper planning or organising of a road hierarchy in the part of Perth which is north of Reid Highway and east of the freeway so, despite the strategic importance of this route (it will eventually be a northern extension of Tonkin Highway, linking to the freeway) it has refused to fund it or have any control over the project. Accordingly, the City of Swan has been slowly extending Hepburn Avenue easterly as it has been able to afford. This latest stage had input of over $10m from the Federal Government.
For a few years, the road has terminated at Alexander Drive and it was only a few weeks ago that the latest stage has opened, extending the route from Alexander Drive to Beechboro Road. A further extension south to Marshall Road is currently under construction, however there's no funding for a further extension to Reid Highway at this stage.
Project info: City of Swan doesn't appear to have a project page on its website.
Nearmap link: http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-31.832941,115.905547&z=15&t=k&nmd=20101016
Criticisms:
- Eventually I would think that this road would either be an extension of State Route 82 or, perhaps, an extension of State Route 4 from Tonkin Highway to Hillarys. Unfortunately at the moment there is zero direction signage, even on Beechboro Road *smacks forehead*
- The road goes from 4 lanes, down to 2, back to 4, down to 2 again, then back to 4 lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive.
- The speed limit is a stupidly low 70km/h. WTF?! I did 90+ along there and I probably could have gone a fair bit faster in safety.
Photos:
Over the weekend I took some photos of the new road. They go from east to west...
Beechboro Road (SR53) southbound approaching Hepburn Avenue - note there's no indications of which way SR53 goes...
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2654.jpg
The short link road that connects Hepburn Avenue with Beechboro Road, looking east
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2660.jpg
Looking south from the link road, showing earthworks for the extension to Marshall Road.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2656.jpg
Looking northwest from Beechboro Road - Hepburn Avenue starts out as a 4-lane divided road.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2659.jpg
West of Bellefin Drive it narrows to two-lanes on the future eastbound carriageway
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2664.jpg
Back to four lanes approaching Marangaroo Drive. Once Main Roads sorts its route marking out, this should be a fairly simple extension of SR81 from Alexander Drive eastwards.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2671.jpg
Back to two lanes west of Marangaroo Drive. The earth wall to the far left is to block traffic noise from adjacent residences, however it came under some criticism from residents a few months ago when they complained that the earth wall gives potential break-and-enterers a prime view of the rear of their houses (not the nicest suburbs in Perth, these ones).
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2674.jpg
And back to four lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive (SR56).
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2682.jpg
Somewhat related, the section of Marangaroo Drive east of Alexander Drive has been built to the typical 7-8m wide carriageway width but only one lane is marked! With no need for on-street parking given the lack of property frontages, it makes for some confused drivers.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2683.jpg
Cheers
Hepburn Avenue is a pretty major east-west arterial road in northern Perth, generally paralleling the Reid Highway about 5km to the north. Hepburn Avenue originally terminated at Wanneroo Road in the east, and was numbered State Route 82.
However, there has long been a reservation to extend this road eastwards and then to the south, meeting Reid Highway at or near its junction with Tonkin Highway. Unfortunately, Main Roads has not done any proper planning or organising of a road hierarchy in the part of Perth which is north of Reid Highway and east of the freeway so, despite the strategic importance of this route (it will eventually be a northern extension of Tonkin Highway, linking to the freeway) it has refused to fund it or have any control over the project. Accordingly, the City of Swan has been slowly extending Hepburn Avenue easterly as it has been able to afford. This latest stage had input of over $10m from the Federal Government.
For a few years, the road has terminated at Alexander Drive and it was only a few weeks ago that the latest stage has opened, extending the route from Alexander Drive to Beechboro Road. A further extension south to Marshall Road is currently under construction, however there's no funding for a further extension to Reid Highway at this stage.
Project info: City of Swan doesn't appear to have a project page on its website.
Nearmap link: http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-31.832941,115.905547&z=15&t=k&nmd=20101016
Criticisms:
- Eventually I would think that this road would either be an extension of State Route 82 or, perhaps, an extension of State Route 4 from Tonkin Highway to Hillarys. Unfortunately at the moment there is zero direction signage, even on Beechboro Road *smacks forehead*
- The road goes from 4 lanes, down to 2, back to 4, down to 2 again, then back to 4 lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive.
- The speed limit is a stupidly low 70km/h. WTF?! I did 90+ along there and I probably could have gone a fair bit faster in safety.
Photos:
Over the weekend I took some photos of the new road. They go from east to west...
Beechboro Road (SR53) southbound approaching Hepburn Avenue - note there's no indications of which way SR53 goes...
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2654.jpg
The short link road that connects Hepburn Avenue with Beechboro Road, looking east
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2660.jpg
Looking south from the link road, showing earthworks for the extension to Marshall Road.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2656.jpg
Looking northwest from Beechboro Road - Hepburn Avenue starts out as a 4-lane divided road.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2659.jpg
West of Bellefin Drive it narrows to two-lanes on the future eastbound carriageway
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2664.jpg
Back to four lanes approaching Marangaroo Drive. Once Main Roads sorts its route marking out, this should be a fairly simple extension of SR81 from Alexander Drive eastwards.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2671.jpg
Back to two lanes west of Marangaroo Drive. The earth wall to the far left is to block traffic noise from adjacent residences, however it came under some criticism from residents a few months ago when they complained that the earth wall gives potential break-and-enterers a prime view of the rear of their houses (not the nicest suburbs in Perth, these ones).
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2674.jpg
And back to four lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive (SR56).
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2682.jpg
Somewhat related, the section of Marangaroo Drive east of Alexander Drive has been built to the typical 7-8m wide carriageway width but only one lane is marked! With no need for on-street parking given the lack of property frontages, it makes for some confused drivers.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2683.jpg
Cheers
Paul Rands
Nov 22, 2010, 6:38:36 AM11/22/10
to aussie-...@googlegroups.com
Another good update. This was still under construction when I left WA. used to all the sand yet??
--
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paul...@gmail.com
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paul...@gmail.com
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Sam Laybutt
Nov 22, 2010, 6:48:11 AM11/22/10
to aussie highways
It is bloody sandy isn't it! I'm not used to always getting sand in my shoes and I'm also annoyed at not being able to park on the varge because its all sand :p
The mountable kerbs that are everywhere are very handy though, when its not too sandy!
Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways] WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
From: paul...@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:38:36 +1100
To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com
The mountable kerbs that are everywhere are very handy though, when its not too sandy!
Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways] WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
From: paul...@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:38:36 +1100
To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com
Paul Rands
Nov 22, 2010, 3:47:43 PM11/22/10
to aussie-...@googlegroups.com
Hey Sam,
Yeah the sand is a pain in the arse, I got the Corolla I used to own bogged in Bunbury when I pulled up on the gravelled shoulder near the RD sign on the bypass. Thankfully the right side of the car could still get traction and I managed to eventually get out. Turned out to be all sand under the gravel. The other time I got it bogged in sand was at my mates place at Donnybrook. They just had their driveway redone, and said it'd be fine to drive up. Guess who had his car buried up to the doors?
--
Paul Rands
paul...@gmail.com
--
Paul Rands
paul...@gmail.com
Trent Thomson
Nov 24, 2010, 7:45:46 AM11/24/10
to Aussie Highways
Thanks for the update Sam.
Do you know whether the original intention was to build this as a
freeway? I know it's close to Reid Hwy but a four-way freeway
interchange seems obvious at what is now the intersection of Reid and
Tonkin Highways. It looks like they built the Greenwood park and ride
on land reserved for a much larger interchange too. Or were the nearby
housing estates built after the railway line went in?
If this is the case, clowncil have f'ed up big time by linking those
sprawly suburbs up to Hepburn Ave with roundabouts. Really surprised
the state government didn't stop this.
On Nov 22, 9:25 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> Hepburn Avenue is a pretty major east-west arterial road in northern Perth, generally paralleling the Reid Highway about 5km to the north. Hepburn Avenue originally terminated at Wanneroo Road in the east, and was numbered State Route 82.
>
> However, there has long been a reservation to extend this road eastwards and then to the south, meeting Reid Highway at or near its junction with Tonkin Highway. Unfortunately, Main Roads has not done any proper planning or organising of a road hierarchy in the part of Perth which is north of Reid Highway and east of the freeway so, despite the strategic importance of this route (it will eventually be a northern extension of Tonkin Highway, linking to the freeway) it has refused to fund it or have any control over the project. Accordingly, the City of Swan has been slowly extending Hepburn Avenue easterly as it has been able to afford. This latest stage had input of over $10m from the Federal Government.
>
> For a few years, the road has terminated at Alexander Drive and it was only a few weeks ago that the latest stage has opened, extending the route from Alexander Drive to Beechboro Road. A further extension south to Marshall Road is currently under construction, however there's no funding for a further extension to Reid Highway at this stage.
>
> Project info: City of Swan doesn't appear to have a project page on its website.
>
> Nearmap link:http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-31.832941,115.905547&z=15&t=k&nmd=20101016
>
> Criticisms:
>
> - Eventually I would think that this road would either be an extension of State Route 82 or, perhaps, an extension of State Route 4 from Tonkin Highway to Hillarys. Unfortunately at the moment there is zero direction signage, even on Beechboro Road *smacks forehead*
>
> - The road goes from 4 lanes, down to 2, back to 4, down to 2 again, then back to 4 lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive.
>
> - The speed limit is a stupidly low 70km/h. WTF?! I did 90+ along there and I probably could have gone a fair bit faster in safety.
>
> Photos:
>
> Over the weekend I took some photos of the new road. They go from east to west...
>
> Beechboro Road (SR53) southbound approaching Hepburn Avenue - note there's no indications of which way SR53 goes...http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2654.jpg
>
> The short link road that connects Hepburn Avenue with Beechboro Road, looking easthttp://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2660.jpg
>
> Looking south from the link road, showing earthworks for the extension to Marshall Road.http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2656.jpg
>
> Looking northwest from Beechboro Road - Hepburn Avenue starts out as a 4-lane divided road.http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2659.jpg
>
> West of Bellefin Drive it narrows to two-lanes on the future eastbound carriagewayhttp://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2664.jpg
>
> Back to four lanes approaching Marangaroo Drive. Once Main Roads sorts its route marking out, this should be a fairly simple extension of SR81 from Alexander Drive eastwards.http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2671.jpg
>
> Back to two lanes west of Marangaroo Drive. The earth wall to the far left is to block traffic noise from adjacent residences, however it came under some criticism from residents a few months ago when they complained that the earth wall gives potential break-and-enterers a prime view of the rear of their houses (not the nicest suburbs in Perth, these ones).http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2674.jpg
>
> And back to four lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive (SR56).http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2682.jpg
Do you know whether the original intention was to build this as a
freeway? I know it's close to Reid Hwy but a four-way freeway
interchange seems obvious at what is now the intersection of Reid and
Tonkin Highways. It looks like they built the Greenwood park and ride
on land reserved for a much larger interchange too. Or were the nearby
housing estates built after the railway line went in?
If this is the case, clowncil have f'ed up big time by linking those
sprawly suburbs up to Hepburn Ave with roundabouts. Really surprised
the state government didn't stop this.
On Nov 22, 9:25 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> Hepburn Avenue is a pretty major east-west arterial road in northern Perth, generally paralleling the Reid Highway about 5km to the north. Hepburn Avenue originally terminated at Wanneroo Road in the east, and was numbered State Route 82.
>
> However, there has long been a reservation to extend this road eastwards and then to the south, meeting Reid Highway at or near its junction with Tonkin Highway. Unfortunately, Main Roads has not done any proper planning or organising of a road hierarchy in the part of Perth which is north of Reid Highway and east of the freeway so, despite the strategic importance of this route (it will eventually be a northern extension of Tonkin Highway, linking to the freeway) it has refused to fund it or have any control over the project. Accordingly, the City of Swan has been slowly extending Hepburn Avenue easterly as it has been able to afford. This latest stage had input of over $10m from the Federal Government.
>
> For a few years, the road has terminated at Alexander Drive and it was only a few weeks ago that the latest stage has opened, extending the route from Alexander Drive to Beechboro Road. A further extension south to Marshall Road is currently under construction, however there's no funding for a further extension to Reid Highway at this stage.
>
> Project info: City of Swan doesn't appear to have a project page on its website.
>
> Nearmap link:http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-31.832941,115.905547&z=15&t=k&nmd=20101016
>
> Criticisms:
>
> - Eventually I would think that this road would either be an extension of State Route 82 or, perhaps, an extension of State Route 4 from Tonkin Highway to Hillarys. Unfortunately at the moment there is zero direction signage, even on Beechboro Road *smacks forehead*
>
> - The road goes from 4 lanes, down to 2, back to 4, down to 2 again, then back to 4 lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive.
>
> - The speed limit is a stupidly low 70km/h. WTF?! I did 90+ along there and I probably could have gone a fair bit faster in safety.
>
> Photos:
>
> Over the weekend I took some photos of the new road. They go from east to west...
>
>
> The short link road that connects Hepburn Avenue with Beechboro Road, looking easthttp://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2660.jpg
>
> Looking south from the link road, showing earthworks for the extension to Marshall Road.http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2656.jpg
>
> Looking northwest from Beechboro Road - Hepburn Avenue starts out as a 4-lane divided road.http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2659.jpg
>
> West of Bellefin Drive it narrows to two-lanes on the future eastbound carriagewayhttp://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2664.jpg
>
> Back to four lanes approaching Marangaroo Drive. Once Main Roads sorts its route marking out, this should be a fairly simple extension of SR81 from Alexander Drive eastwards.http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2671.jpg
>
> Back to two lanes west of Marangaroo Drive. The earth wall to the far left is to block traffic noise from adjacent residences, however it came under some criticism from residents a few months ago when they complained that the earth wall gives potential break-and-enterers a prime view of the rear of their houses (not the nicest suburbs in Perth, these ones).http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2674.jpg
>
> And back to four lanes as it approaches Alexander Drive (SR56).http://www.ozroads.com.au/misc/hepburn_ave/IMG_2682.jpg
Trent Thomson
Nov 24, 2010, 7:46:57 AM11/24/10
to Aussie Highways
Regarding mountable kerbs, I reckon these should be the norm anyway.
On Nov 22, 9:48 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> It is bloody sandy isn't it! I'm not used to always getting sand in my shoes and I'm also annoyed at not being able to park on the varge because its all sand :p
>
> The mountable kerbs that are everywhere are very handy though, when its not too sandy!
>
On Nov 22, 9:48 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> It is bloody sandy isn't it! I'm not used to always getting sand in my shoes and I'm also annoyed at not being able to park on the varge because its all sand :p
>
> The mountable kerbs that are everywhere are very handy though, when its not too sandy!
>
> Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways] WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
> From: paul00...@gmail.com
Sam Laybutt
Nov 24, 2010, 8:07:19 AM11/24/10
to aussie highways
The 1963 MRS included a 'controlled access highway' along the alignment of Hepburn Avenue between Hillarys and Alexander Drive with a huge area for interchange at the Mitchell Freeway. However, the road is still a controlled access highway, it just has at-grade junctions...
Since then it has been downgraded to "Important Regional Road" and extended west, then south to the Tonkin Highway.
The connection to Tonkin Highway didn't arrive until those suburbs (Girrawheen, Koondoola etc) were planned in the early 1970s.
Interestingly, maps of the MRS from the late 1980s show Tonkin Highway extending north, parallel to Beechboro Road but then disappearing halfway to Gnangara Drive - I am thinking this may have been an early incarnation of a route to replace the Great Northern Highway from Midland to Bullsbrook. The current proposed Perth-Darwin Highway actually runs on the eastern side of Whiteman Park now, avoiding the Gnagara aquifer...
I hope that answers your questions...somewhat :p
> Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:45:46 -0800
> Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
> From: trent....@gmail.com
> To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com
Since then it has been downgraded to "Important Regional Road" and extended west, then south to the Tonkin Highway.
The connection to Tonkin Highway didn't arrive until those suburbs (Girrawheen, Koondoola etc) were planned in the early 1970s.
Interestingly, maps of the MRS from the late 1980s show Tonkin Highway extending north, parallel to Beechboro Road but then disappearing halfway to Gnangara Drive - I am thinking this may have been an early incarnation of a route to replace the Great Northern Highway from Midland to Bullsbrook. The current proposed Perth-Darwin Highway actually runs on the eastern side of Whiteman Park now, avoiding the Gnagara aquifer...
I hope that answers your questions...somewhat :p
> Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:45:46 -0800
> Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
> From: trent....@gmail.com
> To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com
Trent Thomson
Nov 25, 2010, 3:50:46 AM11/25/10
to Aussie Highways
Yes that's awesome, thanks!
On Nov 24, 11:07 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> The 1963 MRS included a 'controlled access highway' along the alignment of Hepburn Avenue between Hillarys and Alexander Drive with a huge area for interchange at the Mitchell Freeway. However, the road is still a controlled access highway, it just has at-grade junctions...
>
> Since then it has been downgraded to "Important Regional Road" and extended west, then south to the Tonkin Highway.
>
> The connection to Tonkin Highway didn't arrive until those suburbs (Girrawheen, Koondoola etc) were planned in the early 1970s.
>
> Interestingly, maps of the MRS from the late 1980s show Tonkin Highway extending north, parallel to Beechboro Road but then disappearing halfway to Gnangara Drive - I am thinking this may have been an early incarnation of a route to replace the Great Northern Highway from Midland to Bullsbrook. The current proposed Perth-Darwin Highway actually runs on the eastern side of Whiteman Park now, avoiding the Gnagara aquifer...
>
> I hope that answers your questions...somewhat :p
>
>
>
> > Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:45:46 -0800
> > Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
> > From: trent.thom...@gmail.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
On Nov 24, 11:07 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> The 1963 MRS included a 'controlled access highway' along the alignment of Hepburn Avenue between Hillarys and Alexander Drive with a huge area for interchange at the Mitchell Freeway. However, the road is still a controlled access highway, it just has at-grade junctions...
>
> Since then it has been downgraded to "Important Regional Road" and extended west, then south to the Tonkin Highway.
>
> The connection to Tonkin Highway didn't arrive until those suburbs (Girrawheen, Koondoola etc) were planned in the early 1970s.
>
> Interestingly, maps of the MRS from the late 1980s show Tonkin Highway extending north, parallel to Beechboro Road but then disappearing halfway to Gnangara Drive - I am thinking this may have been an early incarnation of a route to replace the Great Northern Highway from Midland to Bullsbrook. The current proposed Perth-Darwin Highway actually runs on the eastern side of Whiteman Park now, avoiding the Gnagara aquifer...
>
> I hope that answers your questions...somewhat :p
>
>
>
> > Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:45:46 -0800
> > Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: WA: Hepburn Avenue extension
> > To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com
>
> > Thanks for the update Sam.
>
> > Do you know whether the original intention was to build this as a
> > freeway? I know it's close to Reid Hwy but a four-way freeway
> > interchange seems obvious at what is now the intersection of Reid and
> > Tonkin Highways. It looks like they built the Greenwood park and ride
> > on land reserved for a much larger interchange too. Or were the nearby
> > housing estates built after the railway line went in?
>
> > If this is the case, clowncil have f'ed up big time by linking those
> > sprawly suburbs up to Hepburn Ave with roundabouts. Really surprised
> > the state government didn't stop this.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > Thanks for the update Sam.
>
> > Do you know whether the original intention was to build this as a
> > freeway? I know it's close to Reid Hwy but a four-way freeway
> > interchange seems obvious at what is now the intersection of Reid and
> > Tonkin Highways. It looks like they built the Greenwood park and ride
> > on land reserved for a much larger interchange too. Or were the nearby
> > housing estates built after the railway line went in?
>
> > If this is the case, clowncil have f'ed up big time by linking those
> > sprawly suburbs up to Hepburn Ave with roundabouts. Really surprised
>
> - Show quoted text -
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