- New smart freeway system on Mitchell Freeway southbound has been switched on
- More than 1400 pieces of technology have been installed between Hester Avenue and Vincent Street
- Upgrades will improve safety, cut travel times and ease congestion particularly in morning peak
- Technology will make merging smoother and safer at on-ramps
People driving on the Mitchell Freeway southbound will experience safer, smoother and faster journeys with the new smart freeway system switched on today.
More than 1400 pieces of technology including road sensors, on-ramp signals, CCTV cameras, incident detection sensors, digital signs and overhead gantries make up the new smart freeway system.
Each of the 1400 pieces of technology plays a critical role to monitor, collect and analyse data, and respond to traffic conditions in real time by managing lane use and speed limits, the flow of traffic entering the freeway and alerting drivers to incidents ahead.
The project also included the addition of a third southbound lane between Hodges Drive and Hepburn Avenue, which opened in May this year.
Roughly 60,000 vehicles use the Mitchell Freeway southbound during morning peak hour.
The Smart Mitchell Freeway southbound will feature:
- New traffic signals on all 16 on-ramps, helping filter traffic onto the freeway and make merging smoother and easier
- 23 overhead gantries with lane use and variable speed signs to let drivers know what speed to travel, what lanes to use and if there's an incident or accident ahead
- Digital Message Signs to inform motorists of traffic conditions in real time for safer and more reliable journeys.
Mitchell Freeway southbound is Perth's second Smart Freeway. The first Smart Freeway began operating on Kwinana Freeway northbound in August 2020, with motorists continuing to experience a safer journey and faster travel times between Farrington Road and the Narrows Bridge during the morning commute.
The $209.6 million Smart Mitchell Freeway southbound and $214 million Hodges to Hepburn widening and shared paths projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.
Construction works will continue around the Stephenson Avenue Extension project which is currently expected to be completed in the middle of next year.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"More than 190,000 motorists use the Mitchell Freeway southbound every single day and the new Smart Freeway system will make travelling safer, smoother and faster for everyone.
"They will reduce congestion, particularly around on ramps at peak times of the day, and keep traffic flowing safely and smoothly when there is an incident on the freeway.
"By alerting drivers to incidents ahead and reducing speed limits, we can ensure traffic keeps moving safely, rather than come to a sudden complete standstill, while controlling the flow of traffic onto the freeway during peak periods will better manage congestion and merging at on ramps.
"I want to thank the community for their patience. I know the delivery of freeway works can cause frustration, but these improvements will significantly enhance the way people move around our city."
