As part of the upcoming WA state budget, it’s been revealed that $485.5 million will be allocated to upgrades on four key roads in Perth’s southern suburbs – with the majority of that spend going to the Kwinana Freeway.
The WA budget will be officially handed down on June 19, however details of this spend has already been revealed, as the WA government committed to these projects at the 2025 election.
The spend includes $460 million to widen Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Mortimer Road, in a bid to address one of the worst congestion points on the state’s freeway network.
Along with state allocated funds, the federal government will contribute $350 million towards the Kwinana Freeway project.
The State Budget will also acknowledge the Federal Government’s contribution towards the project, with the State and Federal Government each committing $350 million towards the $700 million Kwinana Freeway project.
The Kwinana Freeway between Russell Road and Mortimer Road carries some 100,000 vehicles per day, with up to 15 per cent being heavy vehicles.
The investment will add around 50 per cent capacity to the upgraded sections of the Kwinana Freeway, where congestion continues to create frustration for motorists and reduce the efficient movement of freight.
“Anyone that drives on the Kwinana Freeway knows how frustrating this congestion hot spot is, and the drain it has on our economy through lost productivity,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
“Aside from reducing congestion and improving safety, these upgrades will create jobs and help boost the economy through the creation of improved freight efficiencies.”
Works to widen the Kwinana Freeway are expected to start in 2026/27, with the upgrades to include:
- an additional lane in both directions between Russell Road and Mortimer Road, taking the section of freeway from two lanes to three;
- an additional lane southbound between Roe Highway and Berrigan Drive taking the section of freeway from four lanes to five;
- an additional lane northbound from Russell Road to Beeliar Drive taking the section of freeway from three lanes to four; and
- the addition of co-ordinated ramp signals between Safety Bay Road and Roe Highway to improve flow of traffic on the freeway.
Other key election commitments being funded to be delivered under the State Budget include:
- $17 million to build roundabouts at the intersections of Kargotich Road with Abernethy Road, Orton Road and Gossage Road, ti support the growth of Byford and Mundijong (project to be delivered by the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale);
- $7 million to deliver upgrades to the Baldivis Road and Kulija Road intersection including new traffic signals and an additional westbound through lane on Kulija Road to avoid queues back to the freeway interchange in the morning peak periods (project to be delivered by the City of Rockingham); and
- a $1.5 million contribution towards the upgrade of the intersection of Nicholson Road and Warton Road (to be delivered by the City of Gosnells).
The new projects are in addition to a number of significant projects already being delivered and planned for delivery in Perth’s south including the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road upgrades.