Council gives green light to seek grant opportunities to fund the Wadandi Track underpass
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A new underpass beneath Carters Road which will provide safe passage for users of the Wadandi Track is one step closer to becoming a reality after Council endorsed the findings of the Wadandi Track-Carters Road Underpass Feasibility Study at the 24 June 2020 Ordinary Meeting.
The endorsement which supported the consideration of this project in the Long Term Financial Plan, is the first step toward progressing the project, enabling Officers to seek grant funding for the project.
Asset Services Project Planning Officer, Susan Elton explained that the purpose of the Wadandi Track–Carters Road Underpass Feasibility Study was to provide a detailed understanding of the feasibility of a pedestrian and cycle underpass where the Wadandi Track crosses Carters Road and includes construction ready detailed designs, costings and a comprehensive implementation program.
“The development of this feasibility study was made possible by a WA Department of Transport Bicycle Network Grant, awarded in 2019,” she said.
The grant, which is available to local governments throughout WA, provides funding for up to 50% of total project costs, for the design and implementation of bicycle network infrastructure that will increase safety, accessibility and tourism opportunities.
Ms Elton will now investigate further grant funding opportunities to get the project off the ground.
“We will be seeking grant funding for 100% of the project in order to move forward,” she said.
“The enhancement of this iconic track brings great benefit to the local community and visitors to our region and we are hopeful that funding organisations will see value in supporting the construction.”
The underpass is proposed as 21m long, constructed from 18 reinforced box culverts, 1.2m wide. The culvert will be 3m wide by 2.4m high in order to provide safe passage of two-way bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Rock pitching will be used to blend the culvert into the existing landscape with lighting consisting of solar powered LED dome lights. This solution developed by Stantec Australia Pty Ltd (Stantec) has a design life of 100 years.