A major new road infrastructure project in Western Australia is now underway.
The $1 billion Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade is one of the biggest road transport infrastructure investments ever delivered in Perth’s south-east corridor.
The project will feature a 14-kilometre extension of Tonkin Highway from Thomas Road to South Western Highway and duplicate 4.5 kilometres of Thomas Road.
These upgrades aim to significantly improve road safety, reduce congestion and strengthen freight efficiency for one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
The project, due for completion in late 2028, will provide more efficient journeys for over 60,000 vehicles that are expected to use the corridor daily.
It will also prevent thousands of heavy vehicles from having to use local roads in areas such as Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott and Gosnells.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti commented, “Extending Tonkin Highway will be critical to getting the larger, heavy freight off local roads, making them safer for locals but also improving the efficiency of supply chains and the movement of goods around our State.
“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 into the future.”
State Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones added, “As our community continues to grow, this project will provide safer and more efficient connections to improve ease of movement and separate local traffic from heavy freight on our roads.”
The $1 billion Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade will feature new grade-separated interchanges, underpasses and roundabouts to improve traffic flow and safety.
To add, it will feature new shared paths for cyclists and pedestrians along the entire extension, and equine crossings designed in consultation with local users.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments.
Why is it that many parts of WAs rail system is in disuse while all of the freight is using the highways this doesn’t make sense
We and many others we talk to ask the same question. Railroads unused.
Trucks are great for moving goods quickly and efficiently. The problem is the sheer volume of them ruins roads, unless they are super highways like the Tonkin.
Totally agree. For years I’ve been saying the government has lost the plot, the heavy trucks are destroying our lovely roads and I’ll bet road maintenance will cost more than rail maintenance. Simply absolute madness.
I cant understand why there isn’t a North – South Railway for both passengers, as well as transportation of Goods ? what about rail infrastructure which all ready exists being connected up and utilised for public as well as private usage ? all infrastructure is Government funded so i cant see why passenger trains are not also employed to travel north to South of WA ?
that’d be cost 100%.
Getting freight to a train costs. Loading takes time & costs.
Same again at the other end.
Then the freight needs to be delivered potentially to multiple destinations.
No one works for nothing other than an unsuccessful owner – driver.
Ann-Marie Mitchell, That is a great question but I don’t see anyone replying.
I am wondering why your question has not been answered !
Too expensive .. see trucks on the Eyre Highway, all about cost.