New bus lane outside university set to ease congestion on outskirts of Perth
WA students who rely on bus services stand to benefit from a new dedicated bus lane near the University of Western Australia.
Construction teams are working into the night to create the bus lane, which is sure to improve traffic flows along Mounts Bay Road and the Stirling Highway.
WA transport minister Dean Nalder says work has reached the halfway-mark on creating the bus lane, to ease congestion for those heading from the city to the university.
The Mounts Bay Road bus priority lane will make it easier for Transperth buses to bypass heavy traffic and provide a faster, more reliable service to bus passengers.
The six-month project involves extensive roadwork to reduce the existing median strip to make way for the lane, modifying the Mounts Bay Road and Broadway intersection, road resurfacing and creating a new shared footpath and cycle path.
The full-time bus-only lane will not allow regular motorists to park along, stop or use it – except to exit or enter a side street or driveway.
When entering a bus-only lane, you are allowed to drive along it for up to 100 metres only, before merging into the regular lanes that are open to all traffic.
Similarly, when exiting, you can drive for up to 100 metres in the bus lane before turning into a side street or driveway.
Driving in a bus lane for longer distances is an offence and motorists not obeying this rule can be slapped with a $100 fine.
Construction is expected to be complete by August.