MALAGA and Districts Business Association (MDBA) president Rod Henderson has welcomed last week’s announcement of $2.1 million in funding for improvements to the Reid Highway and Malaga Drive intersection.
Main Roads WA (MRWA) spokesman Dean Roberts said the State Black Spot funding would be used to “provide a double right-turn lane from both sides of Reid Highway into Malaga Drive”.
MRWA would upgrade corner islands and install overhead mast arms to make signals clearer, with the work to be undertaken over the next two years.
Mr Henderson said the project would reduce the intersection’s “chronic” red-light waiting times.
“Ultimately we want to see an overpass, but we absolutely applaud any improvement,” he said.
“It’s just fantastic to see something happening to reduce those cycle times, because they’re far too long.
“Not only do they impact the Malaga business district, it’s also a significant thoroughfare through the eastern suburbs.”
West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti also praised the announcement, saying the current waiting times were some of the worst in WA.
“A recent report stated motorists have to wait for over three minutes at this intersection, the third longest red-light waiting time in Perth,” she said.
“With overpasses at Mirrabooka Avenue and Alexander Drive, the red-light waiting times and the safety of the Malaga Drive intersection was only going to get worse.
“This upgrade will not only enhance the safety of the intersection but it will reduce red-light waiting times.
Ms Saffioti believed that an overpass was required at the intersection in the long-term.