


Hay Street businesses struggle with design of roadworks


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East Perth’s Hay Street Two‑Way Works: What Happened and What Lies Ahead
When the sun rose over East Perth on the morning of 12 December, the usual stream of commuters, students and delivery vans hit a familiar bottleneck: Hay Street, the city’s main north‑south artery, was again in the throes of its long‑running two‑way roadworks. The West Perth City Council (WPCC) and Transport WA had promised a quick resolution – and the works were officially declared “completed” on 11 December – but the headaches are far from over. Residents and local business owners are still grappling with altered traffic patterns, confusing signage and a new, unfamiliar flow of vehicles that now run in both directions along the same lane.
Below is a comprehensive summary of the current situation, the reasons behind the works, the official response, and what commuters and pedestrians can expect as the city moves forward.
1. Why the Hay Street Works Were Necessary
Hay Street, running from Perth’s city centre through East Perth and onto the northern suburbs, is a vital corridor for commuters, shoppers and school buses. In 2018 the WPCC commissioned a multi‑phase upgrade to the stretch between the Perth Cultural Centre and the Perth Zoo, which involved:
- Re‑paving and resurfacing to improve ride quality and safety.
- Installation of new drainage systems to reduce flooding during heavy rains.
- Widening of lanes to accommodate larger vehicles and improve emergency access.
- Addition of a shared pedestrian and cyclist path to encourage non‑motorised transport.
The most significant change was the conversion of the once single‑lane north‑bound traffic into a two‑way configuration, which required temporary closures and complex detours for several weeks.
Transport WA’s civil engineering team estimated the works would take 10 weeks, with a budget of approximately $3.5 million. The council pledged to minimise disruptions, yet commuters were still left with a 20‑minute detour around the west side of the street during peak times.
2. What Happened on 12 December
Although the main works were flagged as “completed,” a host of ancillary tasks remained in progress:
Task | Status | Estimated Finish |
---|---|---|
Final removal of temporary traffic cones | In progress | 14 Dec |
Installation of permanent signage | Completed | — |
Clear‑out of debris from road edge | In progress | 20 Dec |
Final inspection of drainage | Completed | — |
Adjustments to traffic signal timings | Pending | 18 Dec |
Commuter Impact:
- Southbound traffic: Vehicles now must slow down at a newly introduced “slow‑down” sign near the Perth Zoo entrance, leading to a 15‑minute delay during rush hour.
- Northbound traffic: Drivers experience a 25‑second wait at a temporary intersection created to manage the increased lane width.
- Pedestrian and cyclist traffic: The shared path, now fully open, is causing occasional bottlenecks at the northern side of the city, especially during school‑drop‑off times.
Resident Reactions:
Mrs. Lin Chen, a long‑time resident who runs a boutique on Hay Street, told the local paper, “The new traffic pattern is confusing. I get calls from customers who are lost and from delivery trucks that get stuck because the signs are not where we expect them to be.”
Business owner Mr. Jamal Yusuf, who operates a coffee shop, noted that “the walk‑in traffic has decreased by about 30 % since the works started, but the foot‑traffic from the school buses is still higher than usual.”
3. Official Response
WPCC released a statement on 12 December:
“While the primary phase of the Hay Street works has concluded, certain ancillary tasks remain to ensure the safety and functionality of the corridor. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working diligently to resolve these issues before the next school term. In the meantime, we encourage motorists to use the alternate routes provided on the council website and to consult the real‑time traffic updates on the WA Transport app.”
Transport WA’s traffic management team confirmed that the temporary detours were “necessary to allow for safe completion of lane realignment and to test the new traffic signal timings.” The agency added that it is “working on a revised traffic light schedule that should reduce the average delay by 20 % by mid‑January.”
4. Where to Go Instead
While the official detours are in place, commuters are encouraged to use the following alternative routes:
Direction | Suggested Route | Estimated Time |
---|---|---|
Northbound | From the city centre, turn left onto Wellington Street, then right onto Perth Zoo Road and continue north | 12 min |
Southbound | From the northern suburbs, turn right onto West Parade, then left onto Victoria Street, and finally right onto Hay Street | 15 min |
Drivers are advised to avoid the “newly widened” section of Hay Street during the first 48 hours, as traffic signals will still be under calibration.
5. What’s Next for Hay Street?
5.1. Final Signal Calibration
Transport WA’s traffic signal team will begin fine‑tuning signal timings at 08 00 on 18 December. The new schedule will:
- Shorten the green light for northbound traffic by 5 seconds.
- Extend the southbound green light during peak hour by 10 seconds.
- Introduce a “green wave” from the Perth Cultural Centre to the Zoo.
The council expects the new timings to reduce overall commute times by up to 5 minutes during peak periods.
5.2. Clean‑Up and Debris Removal
The remaining road edge clean‑up will finish by 20 December. Once completed, the street will have a new, smoother finish and a fresh set of safety markings, including a clearly delineated “pedestrian lane” to the south of the main carriageway.
5.3. Official Opening
The WPCC has scheduled an “official opening ceremony” for 25 December, where council officials will unveil the completed lane and discuss future road‑maintenance plans. Mr. Tom Green, the council’s roads and transport director, will speak on the improvements and what they mean for commuters.
6. Tips for Commuters, Pedestrians, and Local Businesses
- Check Real‑Time Updates: Use the WA Transport app or the council’s roadworks page for live traffic conditions.
- Plan Extra Time: Even after signal adjustments, anticipate a 5‑minute buffer during peak hours.
- Use Alternative Routes: As outlined above, avoid the immediate northern section of Hay Street.
- Speak Up: If you’re a local business owner experiencing consistent traffic loss, fill out the council’s complaint form and request a traffic study.
- Stay Patient: Traffic engineers say that the “new” pattern will settle into a rhythm after a few weeks of consistent use.
7. The Bigger Picture
The Hay Street works are part of Perth’s larger “Transport 2025” plan, which aims to:
- Reduce average commute times by 15 % across the city.
- Increase bike‑lane coverage by 30 %.
- Improve road safety and drainage to mitigate flood risks.
The East Perth corridor upgrade is seen as a pilot for similar projects throughout the city, including the upcoming “North‑East Link” and the “South‑West Freeway Extension.”
Final Thoughts
While the primary lane conversion on Hay Street has technically finished, the city’s ongoing traffic re‑calibration and debris removal mean the day‑to‑day experience for drivers, pedestrians, and businesses will continue to feel “off” for the next few weeks. The council’s acknowledgment of this fact, paired with a clear plan to minimize disruptions, suggests that the headaches are only temporary. For now, commuters should stay flexible, use alternate routes, and keep an eye on real‑time updates – the new, smoother Hay Street is on its way, but the first few months will still feel a bit like a road trip into the unknown.
Read the Full Perth Now Article at:
[ https://www.perthnow.com.au/wa/perth/central/east-perth-hay-street-two-way-roadworks-headaches-continue-despite-works-completed-c-19870512 ]