In partnership with the Department of Transport, the Town is constructing an off-road walking and cycling path that will connect Welshpool Road to Great Eastern Highway and complete the Principal Shared Path route along the Armadale Railway.
The Rutland Avenue Shared Path is highlighted in the Town’s new Integrated Transport Strategy as a key initiative to improve the Town’s cycling network. The new shared path will enhance walking cycling amenity for the whole community and connect the Town to the greater Armadale area and the CBD.
Project Delivery
The Rutland Avenue Shared Path project is divided into three stages, two of which have already been delivered.
- Stage 1: Welshpool to Oats Street (completed in 2019)
- Stage 2: Oats Street to Miller Street (completed in 2020)
- Stage 3: Miller Street to Great Eastern Highway (upcoming)
Stage 3 is highlighted as a key deliverable in the Town’s 2022/23 Annual Budget and the Town expects construction to commence in 2023.
What's happening now?
With stages 1 & 2 complete, the Town is preparing to deliver the final stage of the Shared Path.
Stage 3 will be constructed in two sections – firstly from Miller Street to Bishopsgate Street, then from Bishopsgate Street to Great Eastern Highway.
Works to deliver Stage 3 of the Rutland Avenue Shared Path will involve:
- Widening of the road to accommodate the new shared path
- Relocation of services
- Removal of a minimum number of trees
- Construction of the shared path
- Relocation and construction of a new footpath on the opposite side of Rutland Avenue
Miller Street to Bishopsgate Street
Over the past few months, the Town and the Department of Transport have finalised the design of the Miller Street to Bishopsgate section and the Town has successfully appointed a contractor.
The works to deliver the Miller Street to Bishopsgate section of the Shared Path will commence on Monday 21 August. Construction is estimated to take place until the end of October and finish before the Metronet line shutdown starting in November.
Works will include new drainage and construction of a new shared path and be conducted between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The Town's contractor will be notifying all affected residents.
Queries regarding the Miller to Bishopsgate works can be directed to site supervisor Rob Smith on 0439 261 511, or queries about the broader project can be directed to the Town on 9311 8111 or admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au
One-way trial
As part of the Shared Path project, the Town is considering converting part of Rutland Avenue into a one-way southbound corridor.
To test how this proposal might impact the local area, the Town converted Rutland Avenue to one-way for a trial period of two weeks in early May, where the southbound lane was open to vehicles and the northbound lane was used as a cycling path.
The proposed one-way conversion relates to the Bishopsgate Street to Great Eastern Highway section, not to the Miller Street to Bishopsgate Street section, which will be constructed first.
Since the completion of the one-way trial, the Town has been reviewing traffic data on average vehicle volumes, speeds and weekday/weekend trends.
The Town is now asking for final community feedback on the proposed one-way conversion before referring the decision to Council.
To view findings from the trial and comment on the proposal, visit Your Thoughts below by Wednesday 30 August 2023.
Your Thoughts | Rutland Avenue one-way trial
What's next?
When the detailed design of Stage 3 is complete, full details of the works will be announced on this page and through the Town’s wider channels.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Rutland Avenue need a shared path?
Rutland Avenue is located on one of Perth’s main arterial routes that forms part of the State Government’s Principal Shared Path network. The Rutland Avenue Shared Path is a key part of creating a network of cycle paths within a 15km radius of the CBD and represents the final link in a major cycle network through Victoria Park towards Armadale.
In addition, a shared path will greatly improve road safety on Rutland Avenue. Many parts of Rutland Avenue are very narrow and carry up to 1,500 vehicles per day, so the road space is often shared by multiple transport modes and it’s especially difficult for cars to pass on-road cyclists.
When will the shared path be finished?
Stages 1 & 2 of the path were delivered in 2019 and 2020, and construction of the final stage is expected to commence in mid-2023.
The Town will keep this webpage updated on any changes to timeframes and provide the community with regular project updates leading up to and throughout construction of the final section of the Shared Path.
Did the Town hold any community consultation about the shared path?
Yes – substantial community engagement was undertaken in 2018 for a Safe Active Street on along Rutland Avenue. Community feedback indicated that a Safe Active Street was not the best option and an off-road shared path was a more suitable treatment.
A Safe Active Street was considered unsafe due to high traffic volumes along the route and the narrow nature of the road. Residents also raised concerns that a Safe Active Street would push traffic into suburban roads. An off-road shared cycling and walking path solves both of these issues.
How is the project being funded?
The Rutland Avenue Shared Path project is 100% funded by the WA State Government.
Further resources
Armadale Railway Shared Path | Building for Tomorrow
WA Bicycle Network Plan | Department of Transport
Principal Shared Path Expansion Program | Department of Transport