Keeping You Moving – No Matter How You Choose To Travel
Main Roads made a significant investment last year, in building infrastructure that goes beyond roads and considers people choosing to walk or ride their way around Perth.
Principal Shared Paths (PSP) are vital for encouraging the community to move, by walking or riding for leisure, recreation, travelling to public transport or commuting to work or study. A PSP is a 3-4 metre wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists, primarily constructed along freeways and major arterial roads. Other shared paths can be narrower but are often at least 2.4 metres wide in areas with high demand for the path.
Building the PSP network along freeway and rail corridors and completing gaps in the path network improves connectivity and accessibility.
Considerations for planning and designing a PSP include: integrating accessibility and connectivity with existing facilities (local paths, on-road facilities); considering lighting requirements; preserving vegetation; and maintaining local amenity for communities.
We work collaboratively with the Department of Transport, Public Transport Authority, local government and stakeholders ensuring path facilities enhance community accessibility for key destinations. We consult with community groups, residents, individuals and cycling bodies to ensure efficient, cost-effective solutions for major construction projects.
Results from our last Community Perception Survey show that improving the shared path facilities is well received in the metropolitan area and demand is growing; so we have a record program of PSP networks in planning and development, in construction, or already completed over the past 12 months.
Recently completed PSP projects include:
NorthLink WA: The final section of the 42-kilometre long, four-metre-wide PSP opened alongside Tonkin Highway in May 2020. Located between Bayswater and Muchea, the PSP includes new lighting and connects to local paths.
Reid Highway Dual Carriageway Project: A new four-metre-wide PSP adjacent to the southern side of Reid Highway, between Altone Road and West Swan Road, completely separated from road traffic.
Mitchell Freeway PSP between Hutton Street and Glendalough Station: This 2.1 kilometre PSP features a new 60-metre cyclist and pedestrian bridge over Scarborough Beach Road and two new underpasses at the Hutton Street, Mitchell Freeway on and off ramps. Works are underway to upgrade the existing PSP between Glendalough Station and Vincent Street.
