As part of the 2019-20 State Budget, The Western Australian Government has launched a major roads package to transform roads throughout the Tonkin Highway corridor.
The latest package of works will tackle some of Perth’s most congested intersections and roads — addressing the bottleneck on Tonkin Highway that stretches across the Swan River from Guildford Road to the Great Eastern Highway.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said The Tonkin Highway Gap project will be built to accommodate the Morley-Ellenbrook Line and enable METRONET works to coincide with road construction.
“It’s hard to remember a time when WA had this much transport infrastructure either under construction or undergoing planning. This Government is setting the foundation for Perth to grow sustainably with excellent road and rail connections,” Ms. Saffioti said.
Premier Mark McGowan said the Tonkin Highway project is estimated to begin in 2020 and create 5,200 jobs.
“We’re getting things done and delivering record funding for roads due to my government’s responsible financial management and success in securing Commonwealth funding,” Mr. McGowan said.
“Our record investment in major road projects and METRONET will set up our suburbs for the long-term and deliver benefits to Western Australians, now and into the future.”
The state government has successfully made the case for investment with both the Federal Government and Federal Opposition, with commonwealth contributions secure in both budgets.
The State Budget will include $1.52 billion for eight new road projects across the eastern suburbs of Perth, with a further $156 million committed for eastern suburban projects including completing the Reid Highway duplication and the Roe Highway-Kalamunda Road interchange.
Works will include:
- Tonkin Highway Gap – widening Tonkin Highway from Great Eastern Highway to just north of Guildford Road ($58 million State, $232 million Federal)
- Tonkin Highway grade separated interchanges at Kelvin and Welshpool roads and a new flyover at Hale Road ($73 million State, $293 million Federal)
- Tonkin Highway extension from Thomas Road to South Western Highway in Mundijong ($101 million State, $404 million Federal).