Terrible, was the word Byford resident Justine Mamootil used to describe changes to Hopkinson Road south, a road she used multiple times a day.
“The problem is, it’s pushing traffic down Kardan,” she said.
“In the morning, if you’re leaving Byford to go down Kardan to turn left onto Thomas Road – it does bank up there.
“But if you’re turning right onto Thomas off Kardan in peak hour traffic, it’s virtually impossible.”
Main Roads said permanent changes to Hopkinson Road were required to safely work on the Tonkin Highway extension.
“While often described as closures, the more accurate term is permanent access changes, as sections of Hopkinson Road will remain in place,” the spokesperson said.
“Partial access options were carefully considered during planning, but they were ultimately found to be incompatible with the interchange design and would have introduced unacceptable safety risks for the community.
“Feedback received during the public submission process focused mainly on whether full closures were necessary, concerns about traffic congestion on surrounding roads, questions about roundabouts and intersection staging and reassurance around emergency and bushfire access.”
Ms Mamootil said she received limited notice about the major works.
“I was probably given a month’s notice by way of Main Roads Facebook page,” she said.
“I don’t recall a letter.”
The spokesperson said the project was monitoring traffic flows and queue lengths at key infrastructures through the installation of local traffic only signs and redirection of road users.
“Importantly, the project is also working closely with the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale and emergency services to ensure bushfire and emergency access is maintained throughout construction,” Main Roads said.
Ms Mamootil said she saw temporary traffic lights installed on Thomas Road after Briggs Road on Tuesday afternoon.
“Perhaps to control traffic coming out of Briggs,” she said.
The spokesperson said Hopkinson Road south will not reopen in its previous form.
“From October, when Hopkinson Road north is also permanently modified, both north and south sections near Thomas Road will remain closed to through access.
“There are further permanent access changes required for the project, which will be staged between late 2025 and late 2026.”
In a sod turning press conference held on September 21, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the completion target was by, or in, 2028.
Ms Mamootil said she thinks the project would take longer to complete.
“It’s not going to be three years. It always blows out,” she said.
“Budget blows out and timelines blow out.
“There’s always things that they hit like pipes or cables in the road that aren’t registered.
“But for safety, they have to stop and wait.”
Ms Mamootil said in hindsight, once the project was completed, the changes will have been worth the wait.
“As long as there’s roundabouts placed at Kardan Boulevard and Thomas Road, and Briggs Road and Thomas Road.”
