The Welshpool Road intersection upgrade was meant to be the solution to years of congestion, but for many local residents, it has instead created new problems.
Despite the promises of easing traffic and improving safety, commuters are now facing significant delays and dangers as traffic backs up even further down Welshpool Road and onto Leach Highway.
Richard Lehman, a local business owner, who has driven the section of Welshpool Road for over 10 years, shared his frustration with the new traffic situation.
“Raising the rail line removed the delay caused by the trains, but now the same traffic is just stopped 600 meters further down the road,” he said.
“The result is the same traffic jams, just in a new location.”
For Richard, this isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a safety hazard.
“On most days, drivers on Welshpool Road have to let side traffic in, which is very dangerous, especially since the second lane is still moving at 60 km/h,” he explained.
“I’ve seen several close calls, and people are even driving on the wrong side of the road to get onto Welshpool Road. If something isn’t done soon, there will be more crashes.”
But Richard isn’t alone in his concerns.
Another resident, affirmed this, stating that the upgrade seemed to have only shifted the traffic problem rather than solved it.
The new congestion is forcing local drivers to sit through longer delays, with some even abandoning attempts to turn onto Welshpool Road, opting instead to turn left from the wrong side of the road and make a U-turn.
So, what happened?
According to METRONET, the project aimed to ease congestion by removing the Welshpool Road level crossing, which had seen boom gates down for an average of four hours and 28 minutes daily before the upgrade.
With the new Thornlie-Cockburn Line expected to increase train frequency, METRONET’s spokesperson confirmed that the level crossing removal was necessary for long-term improvements in safety and traffic flow.
“It will reduce the amount of time commuters were previously forced to wait for passing trains and improve safety by eliminating the potential for cars and trains to interact,” she said.
However, despite these intentions, the area is still facing significant traffic problems. METRONET pointed out that the intersection is currently operating under temporary traffic signals while some nearby rail crossings remain closed for construction.
The spokesperson explained that the final traffic management plan will come once the project is fully completed later this year. Once other rail crossings open, they anticipate driver behaviour and travel patterns will return to normal.
The City of Canning, meanwhile, has acknowledged the issue.
Mayor Patrick Hall responded to The Examiner, clarifying that the City defers to the Office of Major Transport Infrastructure Delivery (OMTID) for detailed comments on the objectives and outcomes of the upgrade.
“The City of Canning continues to work closely with State Government agencies to advocate for improved traffic flow and transport infrastructure for our community,” he said.
Yet for residents like Richard, the current situation feels far from resolved.
“There’s been no integration between the rail works and the road improvements,” he said. “The roads were put back exactly as they were before. There are no additional crossings, no more parking for train users, and nothing to improve the flow of traffic. It’s as if no one thought about the impact on local drivers.”
As the traffic congestion persists, residents are left wondering when the promised relief will arrive. Richard’s solution? A dedicated left-turn slip lane at the intersection of Welshpool Road and Leach Highway. “Without it, the volume of traffic just won’t move efficiently,” he said.
We reached out to Main Roads WA and Office of Major Transport Infrastructure Delivery (OMTID) for comment regarding the ongoing traffic issues, but as of publication, we have not received a response. While METRONET has made it clear that they’re not in charge of the traffic signalling, the lack of immediate solutions for the area’s current congestion leaves local drivers feeling trapped.
Richard added, “Somebody free us!” Until improvements are made, it seems the traffic headaches on Welshpool Road are here to stay.
As residents expressed their frustrations, METRONET continues to assure the public that the current temporary traffic arrangements are part of a long-term plan, with expectations that the traffic flow will improve once the entire project is completed later this year.
