CONCERNS over delays to the long-planned Lloyd Street bridge and extension project are continuing to frustrate residents and businesses, with the state government confirming heritage and environmental issues are still preventing the project from moving forward.
The Lloyd Street bridge over the Helena River was placed on hold in 2022 following concerns raised by traditional owners and local environmental groups about the project’s impact on heritage sites and the surrounding environment.
A Main Roads WA spokesperson said the state government was continuing to work with traditional owners, environmental groups and the City of Swan on the bridge design.
“This engagement is ongoing and we recognise the importance of the bridge to the broader community and are seeking to move the project forward as soon as practicably possible,” the spokesperson said.
The Lloyd Street extension is considered a key part of broader road upgrades in the area, with the proposed Roe Highway and Great Eastern Highway bypass interchange unable to proceed until the Lloyd Street connection is completed.
Main Roads said the Lloyd Street connection to Great Eastern Highway bypass and Abernethy Road must be operational before substantive work on the Roe Highway interchange can begin.
Local businesses and residents have continued to raise concerns about the lack of progress and growing traffic pressure in Midland and surrounding areas.
In correspondence provided to Echo News, Kalamunda MLA Adam Hort said the project had been tied up in extended heritage and environmental assessment processes for several years.
Mr Hort said consultation on the project was ongoing and there was currently no firm timeline for construction to proceed.
“It has also been in planning since at least 2021, and it is clear that planning now needs to translate into delivery,” he said.
“Heritage engagement is important, but it cannot become an open-ended process. The community deserves certainty.”
A Main Roads spokesperson said specific delivery timeframes would only be considered once heritage and environmental concerns were resolved.
