Extending the Tonkin Highway by 14 kilometres should create an estimated 4400 jobs with work under way, says the WA Government.
The $1 billion-plus Tonkin extension and Thomas Road upgrade is described by it as one of the biggest road transport projects in south-east Perth.
The project will extend the highway from Thomas Rd to South Western Highway and duplicate 4.5km of Thomas Road.
Acting Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Julie Collins says Canberra is contributing $749 million to the project.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says the project is a part of their pipeline of infrastructure projects.
“Extending Tonkin Highway will be critical to getting the larger, heavy freight off local roads, making them safer for locals (and) improving the efficiency of supply chains and the movement of goods around our state,” she says.
“Together with the METRONET Byford Rail Extension, this project will ensure Perth’s south-east corridor has the right mix of road, rail, cycling and equestrian infrastructure to support its growth.”
The project will take place in the federal electorate of Burt, whose MP, Matt Keogh, says it will make journeys “faster and safer”.
“The community in Byford will also benefit from upgrades to Thomas Rd, which has struggled with traffic in and out of Byford on neighbourhood streets,” he points out.
State MP for Darling Range Hugh Jones says the work will enable the separation of local traffic from heavy freight on the roads.
“As this project ramps up, we are nearing completion of the METRONET Byford Rail Extension” he says which will offer a convenient commute for locals and allow them to use public transport to avoid road work disruptions.
State MP for Oakford Yaz Mubarakai says it is “fantastic” to see work is under way.
“Our Oakford community has been waiting a long time for this project,” he says.
“Local families, freight operators and businesses will all benefit.”
TONKIN HIGHWAY PROJECT
Once it is finished in late 2028, the four-lane dual carriage extension from Thomas Rd to South Western Highway will feature:
- 14km of shared paths connecting to Thomas, Orton, Bishop and Mundijong roads, and to the South Western Highway.
- Five underpasses and a footbridge at Orton Rd.
- Grade-separated interchange at Bishop Rd.
- Roundabouts at Orton and Mundijong roads and South Western Highway.
- Underpasses at Abernethy and Shanley roads for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and horses.
- Underpass at Gossage Rd for pedestrians, cyclists and horses.
- Rail bridges at Bishop and Wright roads.
- Noise and visual screening walls, lighting and better local road access.
THOMAD RD UPGRADE
The duplication of 4.5 km of Thomas Road between Kargotich Road and the South Western Highway involves:
- A new grade-separated interchange with Tonkin Highway.
- A new 4.5 km shared path on the southern side.
- A signal horse crossing connecting Byford and Darling Downs bridle paths.
- Intersection upgrades with new roundabouts at Kardan Boulevard and Masters/Malarkey roads, left-in/left-out access at Ballak Place and Briggs Rd, cul-de-sacs at Hopkinson Rd (north and south of Thomas Rd), new traffic signals at Plaistowe Boulevard, rebuilt intersection at Wungong South Rd, and realigned horse equine pathway north of Thomas Road.
It will also complement the METRONET Byford Rail Extension, which is due to open on October 13.
Work done so far includes site establishment and traffic realignment but large-scale earthworks, bridge structures and interchange building work is due to ramp up over the coming months.
Further information on the project can be found at the Main Roads WA website.
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