<P> In its 2011 / 12 budget, the State Government committed $30 million for the widening of Mitchell Freeway northbound between Hepburn Avenue and Hodges Drive from two to three lanes . Traffic volumes in the preceding years had increased rapidly, almost reaching the previously projected 2016 traffic volume of 40,000 vehicles per day . The resulting congestion in the afternoon traffic peak increases the chances of rear - end crashes as well as driver frustration . Construction of the third lane began in February 2013, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year . A 4.5 - kilometre (2.8 mi) section from Hepburn Avenue to Ocean Reef Road opened in August 2013 . As part of the project, the existing lanes will be resurfaced afterwards, during the summer months of 2013--14 . The design of the freeway is such that no bridgeworks will be required on overpasses, and rail services in the median will not be affected . </P> <P> The freeway has also been expanded with an extra lane northbound between Perth and Hutton Street, in conjunction with works to increase the capacity of the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel . Works progressed in two stages, with Vincent Street as the midpoint . As part of the project, the overpasses at Powis Street, Vincent Street and Scarborough Beach Road have been widened . An additional slip lane has been constructed, from Graham Farmer Freeway's Loftus Street exit ramp to Mitchell Freeway northbound, to access Vincent Street without changing lanes to the left lanes of Mitchell Freeway northbound . The project commenced in February 2013 and was completed in December 2013 . </P> <P> The Mitchell Freeway is planned to continue north to the Metropolitan Region Scheme's boundary, beyond Yanchep and Two Rocks . The state government announced in March 2012 the formation of the Mitchell Freeway Extension Community Working Group . The group worked with Main Roads Western Australia to investigate options for relieving congestion, with a focus on the next freeway extension . Several options were considered, before the group released a strategic business case in November 2012 . The report recommends a staged approach, starting with intersection improvements between 2013 and 2015 . This was followed by a freeway extension to Hester Avenue in 2017 . An expressway standard extension to Romeo Road, Alkimos is proposed to be completed by 2021 . </P> <P> In October 2012 the state government announced that the freeway's diamond interchange with Reid Highway will be upgraded with the installation of extra turning lanes and traffic lights . The project is an interim solution to lower congestion and reduce the volume of traffic using local roads to avoid the interchange . The longer term plan is to upgrade Reid Highway to a dual carriageway near the freeway interchange, including a second overpass bridge . The dual carriageway works are scheduled for construction in 2014--15 . </P>

When is the mitchell freeway going to be extended
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