THE long-awaited upgrade to High Street may finally go ahead after the Gillard Labor government granted $59 million in the federal budget for the project.

Fremantle state Labor MP Simone McGurk says the ball is now in the Barnett government’s court, to allocate its share of the funding.

“Last year residents were dismayed to learn that despite over 10 years of discussion, the state had actually removed money for this project from the state budget,” she said.

“This project was allocated federal funding back in 2008, but the state government has failed the people of East Fremantle and Palmyra by its inability to deliver,” she told the Herald.

Contentious plans to improve the road between Carrington Street and Stirling Highway have been on the cards for years.

Mayor Brad Pettitt says the council made the right call by backing the local community and rejecting option 4.

A newer approved option will have less impact on locals while enabling a safer, better flowing road.

“I am pleased it has been funded as the road is in dire need of an upgrade to make it safer for drivers and quieter for residents nearby,” he says.

“I would expect work to start in late 2014 all going well.”

Dr Pettitt says it still needs a planning scheme change and Parliament’s approval as it will have an impact on an A-class reserve.

by BRENDAN FOSTER