Revamped terrace adds new charm to cbd

BEATRICE THOMASThe West Australian Almost a year of traffic disruption has come to an end with the opening of a new-look St Georges Terrace - but it will be another month before construction

finishes on the other side of the city in Forrest Place. The City of Perth said yesterday the $15 million St Georges Terrace upgrade had transformed Perth's premier street into an

attractive and pedestrian-oriented environment. It has been reduced from six lanes to four with dedicated bus lanes and wider footpaths suitable for alfresco dining. There is also new street

furniture, bus stops, lighting and high-quality paving, with street poles now accommodating lights, CCTV, banners and pedestrian crossing signals. "St Georges Terrace, which has not

had any major improvement works for many decades, provides the setting for the State's foremost business and commercial district and contains some of the city's grand and historic

buildings," Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said. City of Perth chief executive Frank Edwards said as well as above-ground improvements, a 1930s stormwater drainage system had been upgraded

with extra provisions for future telecommunications and internet requirements. Mr Edwards said stage two of the Forrest Place upgrade, which has been plagued by delays and cost blowouts, was

due to finish on August 19 and includes a new train station forecourt, stage and canopy, paving and artwork. The third stage, including demolition of the old stage and new paving to the

Forrest Chase colonnade, was set to be completed in the first week of next month. In May, _The West Australian _revealed that Forrest Chase traders were hit hard by the work, which blocked

pedestrian traffic, hid shopfronts and cut sales. One of the traders, Jilan Shah, who co-owns Creative Native, said yesterday he was happy construction work appeared to have been stepped up

and was looking forward to the works being finished. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR INBOX. Sign up for our emails