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New lanes for Northbridge Tunnel to cope with traffic growth

The Northbridge Tunnel in inner-city Perth is now operating across six lanes to help alleviate traffic congestion

April 29, 2013

The Northbridge Tunnel in inner-city Perth is now operating across six lanes to help alleviate traffic congestion.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell officially opened two new lanes today. The tunnel now carries three lanes of traffic in each direction and is capable of supporting about 30,000 extra vehicles every day.

“This is great news for the 100,000 motorists already using the tunnel every week day. The extra lanes mean that the tunnel can handle more vehicles at any given time and will save drivers valuable time on their journey,” Buswell says.

The tunnel will operate with a reduced speed limit for at least the first month to give motorists time to get used to the new layout.

Buswell says one of the biggest changes westbound drivers will notice is the new Mitchell Freeway on-ramp from the Graham Farmer Freeway’s Loftus Street exit. He says it significantly improves safety by eliminating the need for drivers to cross multiple traffic lanes to exit the freeway northbound at Vincent Street.

Buswell says motorists will realise the full benefits of the extra westbound lane in the tunnel when the additional lane on the Mitchell Freeway is completed from Vincent Street to Hutton Street by the end of the year.

The tunnel upgrade is part of a package of works aimed at addressing congestion in the CBD.

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