The state and federal governments will spend a combined $460 million to carry out road works on the southern portion of the freeway, over three years starting in 2026.
The state and federal governments will spend a combined $460 million to carry out road works on the southern portion of the freeway, over three years starting in 2026.
Premier Roger Cook and Treasurer Rita Saffioti confirmed the state would match the federal government’s previously announced commitment to widening the Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Mortimer Road, across the forward estimates in June’s state budget.
The works are expected to cause delays on a problem portion of the freeway from 2026 until scheduled completion in 2029.
But state and federal government ministers, who appeared in Perth alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Main Roads WA's offices this morning, said they would be essential to ease congestion for commuters and industry ahead of the delivery of the Westport container port next decade.
Around 15,000 heavy freight vehicles travel along the stretch of road each day, with traffic likely to increase as industrial activity along the Western Trade Coast scales up in years ahead.
At a press conference in Perth this morning, Mr Cook said the benefit of the upgrade would be shared between daily commuters and industry.
“This is a big deal, not just for those hundreds of people that use that road each day, but for industry, which relies upon these transport corridors to continue to make sure our economy keeps flowing smoothy,” he said.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King highlighted the necessity of the work in preparation in support of freight and for the arrival of the Westport project – which she labeled the “next big project here”.
But the government conceded the shorter term impact on the southern freeway corridor may frustrate across the project’s three-year timeframe.
“There will be disruption, as there always is,” Treasurer Rita Saffioti said.
“We apologise for that but we know, that with all of these works, they benefit people into the future,” she said.
The work will add an additional lane in both directions between Russell and Mortimer roads, a new southbound lane between Roe Highway and Berrigan Drive, and a new northbound lane between Russel Road and Beeliar Drive.
Co-ordinated ramp signals will be introduced between Safety Bay Road and Roe Highway.
The state plans to submit for environmental approvals imminently and will take the project put for expressions of interest in the third quarter of this year.
Mr Albanese will hold a national cabinet meeting in Perth this afternoon.
The state budget will be held on June 19, and Ms Saffioti will front a Business News Post Budget Breakfast event the following morning to speak through the government's spending agenda for the year ahead.
