Dempster Street Roundabout Project
Project funded by: Local Road Black Spot Program, Shire of Esperance
Traffic flow from The Esplanade to Dempster Street and Norseman Road will become more practical with the installation of a new roundabout. This will provide a safe and pedestrian friendly entrance into the town centre.
Construction of the roundabout is expected to begin in the third week of February 2022. This will occur under traffic control, allowing continuous traffic flow through to the town centre and along the Esplanade.
Works that will take place:
- Re-alignment of Road.
- Construction of roundabout with three legs (see map below) - The design allows for the provision for a future fourth leg to provide road train access to the Esperance fuel depots.
- Road Widening.
- Underground Power – Undertaken by Horizon Power. Beginning December 2021, with minimal disruption to road users.
- Pedestrian Refuge Island infront of the Cannery Arts Centre - The Esperance Cannery Arts Centre generates significant pedestrian movements across the four lanes of Norseman Road near the proposed roundabout. This will allow for safer crossing.
- Removal of some trees.
- Shared Path.
Why is the Shire doing this?
The centre median in the Dempster Street / Norseman Road / The Esplanade intersection is currently not wide enough to safely protect vehicles carrying out a staged crossing of the intersection when turning right.
The Esperance Cannery Arts Centre generates significant pedestrian movement across the four lanes of Norseman Road near the proposed roundabout. Currently, the crossing sight distance is limited by the alignment of Dempster Street at the Esplanade intersection, making it dangerous to cross.
How will I be affected?
We aim to disrupt traffic as little as possible with construction being done under traffic control. Traffic will still be able to access The Esplanade and Dempster Street, it just might be one lane not two.
The only expected road closure will be while asphalting is carried out, planned to be done out of hours and in a minimal timeframe.
Updates will be given closer to when the project begins and throughout.
Update 5 August 2022
Let there be light! Street lights are now installed and operating. We have some final concreting to do over the next week. Traffic Management signs and cones will be removed after this. Landscaping of the central island will happen in approx. 1 – 2 months time.
Update 25 July 2022
Awaiting Horizon Power to install light Poles and underground cabling.
Update 27 June 2022
Traffic islands progressing well. Landscaping has begun. The turnoff to The Esplanade will be closed until concreting is complete.
Update 17 June 2022
Most works are complete with landscaping to continue. Light Towers will be onsite until Horizon Power install poles and connect power (scheduled to start approx. 25th July 2022).
Update 27 May 2022
- Traffic islands are progressing well and should be completed in the next fortnight. Landscaping to follow.
- Both lanes on Norseman/Dempster Road, and the Esplanade will be open next week.
- Speed limits and signage will still be in place, along with intermittent lane closures, to allow remaining works to be completed safely.
- Please drive to conditions.
Update 11 May 2022
- The roundabout will be open by 5pm today.
- Outside lanes only in both directions, with no access to the Esplanade from the roundabout at this stage.
- Traffic management will be in place until remaining works are completed.
Update 10 May 2022
- Asphalt works are progressing well and will be completed tomorrow, Wednesday 11 May.
- The Roundabout on Dempster Street will be open to single lane traffic in both directions tomorrow afternoon.
- Traffic management will be in place until remaining traffic islands, line marking, light poles and landscaping are complete.
- Thank you for your patience and co-operation.
Update 29 April 2022
Asphalting will begin next Sunday, 8 May, which will require the road to be closed for a min. 3 days. The closure is required for the safety of staff and contractors.
All traffic will be detoured via Brazier St/Harbour Rd/Sheldon Rd (as per the map below).
The Cannery Arts Centre and Jetty Resort will still be accessible.
Every effort will be made to have these works completed as quickly as possible.
We understand this will be disruptive and apologise for any inconvenience.
If you have any concerns or questions, please call Asset Management on 9071 0666.
