Canning Bridge to Curtin University Bike Link

Following extensive stakeholder and community engagement in 2022 and the announcement of grant funding from the Department of Transport, the City of South Perth will soon be carrying out construction works on multiple sections of the Canning Bridge to Curtin University Bike Link.

Safe active streets will be constructed on Pether Road, Godwin Avenue and Davilak Crescent. With these works taking place in the area, some additional road rehabilitation works will be carried out on nearby Forward Street as part of the same schedule of works.

The road works will include:

• Road resurfacing (laying new asphalt on the safe active streets and Forward Street)
• Upgrade of kerbing at selected areas Construction of raised intersections at all intersections (except roundabouts) along Pether Road and Godwin Avenue
• Installation of speed cushions along Canavan Crescent on the approach to the roundabouts at Pether Road and Godwin Avenue
• Installation of speed cushions on Ley Street and Davilak Street on the approaches to the roundabout
• Installation of three single lane slow points along Davilak Crescent
• Upgrade of selected drainage infrastructure, which may impact reticulation on the verge.

Unfortunately due to budgetary reasons, the planned new footpath section on the eastern side of Goss Avenue between Pether Road and Curtin Primary School will not be constructed this financial year. It will be considered for inclusion in next year’s capital works program, subject to Council approval. Road and footpath users will still be able to use the existing footpath on the western side of Goss Avenue.

The road works will take approximately 10 weeks, from the week beginning Monday 4 September 2023. Works will be staggered throughout the area so not all properties will be impacted at the same time. Local residents have been sent a letter and information sheet with more detail of what the works will involve and their impact, which can be viewed on the City's website.

We anticipate that the shared path along Manning Road between Goss Avenue and Gillon Street and the raised intersection at Henley Street will be constructed within the 2023/2024 financial year.

What has happened so far?

The City of South Perth asked for feedback from the community and stakeholders on the proposed safe active streets and shared path designs in March 2022, receiving comments from around 120 people through feedback forms and drop in sessions with project team members.

This feedback, along with a peer review of the designs by an expert panel, led to some minor changes and adjustments to the designs:

• To reduce speed along Davilak Crescent, as well as to discourage it from being used as a rat run, a speed hump will be installed east of Ley Street, along with a single lane slow point between Ley Street and Godwin Avenue, and another between Manning Road and Pether Road.
• A raised intersection will be included at the intersection of Davilak Crescent and Pether Road.
• Speed cushions will be installed at the entrance to the roundabouts on Ley Street and Davilak Crescent/Street, and Canavan Crescent and Godwin Avenue/Pether Road to slow down approaching vehicles.
• A footpath will be installed on the eastern side of Goss Avenue between Pether Road and Curtin Primary School, to improve safety for children and other people walking.
• The shared path parallel to Manning Road will be realigned so it comes to an end at Walanna Drive, where people riding can then transition to the existing bike lanes on Walanna Drive. From there, bike riders can enter the shopping centre car park or continue on to Curtin University via the Walanna Drive underpass and the Kent Street shared path.

A raised intersection will be installed at the Henley Street bend to provide a safer crossing between Godwin Avenue and the path linking to Murray Street and Jackson Road.

What is happening now?

The City has secured grant funding of $475,000 from the Department of Transport for construction of the safe active streets and shared path in the 2023/2024 financial year. This will complete the Canning Bridge to Curtin University Bike Link.

Map showing the final design of the safe active streets and shared path.

Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback or attended one of our engagement sessions for the Canning Bridge to Curtin University Bike Link project. The designs for the project have now been finalised, with approval given by the Department of Transport.

The concept design for the Safe Active Streets along Godwin Avenue, Pether Road and Davilak Crescent will progress largely as presented to the community, with one minor correction – a speed hump on Davilak Crescent just east of Ley Street that was left off the map in error. This speed hump will help to reduce traffic speed at the beginning of the Safe Active Street as well as discouraging drivers from using Davilak Crescent as a rat run.

The detailed design for the Shared Path parallel to Manning Road has been amended based on community feedback that the section of the shared path running alongside Manning Road at Waterford Plaza would be very busy with vehicles entering and exiting the shopping centre.

The City will realign the Shared Path route so that it comes to an end at Walanna Drive where cyclists can then transition to the existing bike lanes on Walanna Drive. From there, cyclists can enter the shopping centre car park, or continue on to Curtin University via the Walanna Drive underpass and the Kent Street shared path. We think this is a great suggestion and Department of Transport were happy to support this amendment.

Next Steps
In the coming 2022/23 financial year, the City will complete the detailed design for the Safe Active Streets, with funding secured from the Department of Transport. The City will also apply for further funding to construct the Shared Path in the 2023/24 financial year.

Tell us what you think about the Bike Link

As a high priority in our Joint Bike Plan (developed with the Town of Victoria Park in 2018), the City is working with the Department of Transport to create the Canning Bridge to Curtin Bike Link to:

• Create Safe Active Streets (SAS) along Godwin Avenue, Pether Road and Davilak Crescent, to give priority to people riding bikes and walking
• Construct a Shared Path for walking and bike riding parallel to Manning Road from Pether Road to the intersection of Manning Road/Kent Street.

The Safe Active Streets and Shared Path will provide links to Canning Bridge, local schools, the George Burnett Leisure Centre, Farmers Market on Manning, Waterford Plaza and Curtin University. View the map of the safe active streets and shared path concept design (PDF, 119KB).

Map showing the concept design of the safe active streets and shared path.

We want to hear what you think of this proposal.

How can I get involved?

• Complete the online feedback form and tell us what you think of the Bike Link. Hard copy forms are available at the Civic Centre and Manning and South Perth libraries
• Drop in and talk to the project team:
  • Saturday 19 March anytime between 7.30am and 12pm at Farmers Market on Manning
  • Wednesday 23 March anytime between 4pm and 6pm at Davilak Crescent Park
• Read the Bike Link brochure
• Ask a question online
• Sign up to be kept updated
• Read the frequently asked questions
• Contact the City on 9474 0777 or email enquiries@southperth.wa.gov.au to speak to a member of the project team

Feedback closed at 4pm, Monday 28 March 2022.