Media Release: Perth's southern suburbs job creating, congestion tackling combo fix

Southern suburban residents will soon experience traffic relief once the job-creating, congestion tackling roads transformation package at Armadale Road and the Kwinana Freeway is complete.

Works on the three key road projects in the area are taking shape, with the dualling of Armadale Road from Tapper to Anstey Roads underway and key milestones reached on a new bridge to connect Armadale Road and North Lake Road over the freeway and the widening of Kwinana Freeway northbound between Russell Road and Farrington Road.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said the projects would lead to shorter, more predictable journey times for people living in Perth’s southern suburbs while also ensuring easier access to key services and employment hubs, including the Murdoch Activity Centre.

“These vital projects will help transform Perth’s south, making it easier for locals to get where they need to go sooner and safer – whether they’re travelling to work, or home, or to pick the kids up from school,” Mr Fletcher said.

“These projects combined are also expected to support 2,590 jobs – a great example of how the Turnbull Government’s $11 billion investment in WA’s roads and rail is creating jobs and supporting the economy as well as tackling congestion and improving liveability.

Premier Mark McGowan said the road infrastructure boost in Perth’s southern suburbs were much needed to combat major congestion bottlenecks in and out of the fast growing area.

“It’s terrific to see these job-creating projects underway. We’re getting on with the job and upgrading our road network and it’s been made possible by reallocating Perth Freight Link funding,” Mr McGowan said.

“These road upgrades are aimed at making people’s daily travels that much easier – whether they’re going about their everyday business in the area or they’re doing a bigger commute to and from the Perth CBD and beyond – the aim is to reduce traffic congestion so people can spend more time doing what they love.

“My government is committed to fixing congestion on our roads and upon being elected to office, we’ve put what we said into practice immediately.”

Work on the Kwinana Freeway widening between Success and Jandakot will also soon get underway with the contract having now been awarded.

BMD Constructions Pty Ltd will deliver the works from Russell Road to just south of Roe Highway following a competitive tender process. The remaining one kilometre of works through to Farrington Road is underway and being delivered by the Murdoch Drive Connection project with the overall Kwinana Freeway Widening project scheduled for completion by late 2019.

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said the two-lane section of Kwinana Freeway between Russell Road and Farrington Road was one of the most congested sections of road in Perth.

“These upgrades will be a major benefit for those travelling through the well-known congestion hotspot near Cockburn Central. This notorious intersection is impacting travel times and creating safety risks for motorists,” Ms Saffioti said.

“The $49 million Kwinana Freeway Widening project, of which this contract forms a key part, will provide capacity for an extra 1,800 vehicles per hour. This will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for those commuting to the CBD or our northern suburbs.”

Expressions of Interest have now also been called from industry for the $237 million project to construct a bridge between Armadale Road and North Lake Road, which will address congestion at the Kwinana Freeway, Armadale Road and Beeliar Drive interchange − Perth’s fifth most congested intersection.

WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds said the project would effectively create a bypass around Cockburn Central Train Station and the Cockburn Gateway shopping centre.

“This will lead to shorter and more consistent journey times, while road safety will be improved through the removal of the well-known pinch point at the current intersection,” Senator Reynolds said.

“For users of public transport, the project will improve access to and from Cockburn Central Train Station, alleviating heavy congestion around the station car park during peak times, while also facilitating new investment and development opportunities in the Cities of Cockburn and Armadale, creating new jobs and economic activity.”

The project is currently in the development phase, during which Main Roads will confirm the final scope in consultation with community and stakeholders.

Key facts:

·         The Australian Government is investing $116 million to fund the $145 million Armadale Road – Anstey Road to Tapper Road Widening, slated for completion in late 2019. It will provide better access to new residential developments, Cockburn train station, Cockburn Gateway Shopping Centre and the Jandakot Industrial Area.

·         The Australian Government is investing $39.2 million to fund the $49 million Kwinana Freeway - Russell Road to Roe Highway Widening (Northbound).

·         The Australian Government is investing $189.6 million to fund the $237 million Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge, with construction set to begin in 2019.