Joint media statement – Congestion solutions for Perth’s north-east underway

A major interchange upgrade for Wanneroo Road started construction today while the contract to widen one of the last remaining sections of single-lane highway in Perth has also been awarded.

The two projects – the interchange of Wanneroo Road and Ocean Reef Road and the four-kilometre widening of Reid Highway between Altone Road and West Swan Road – are jointly funded by the Australian and WA State governments.

Both projects were part of the $2.3 billion ‘boosting jobs, busting congestion’ package of works announced in April 2017 and are set to remove two traffic congestion hotspots and improve road safety across Perth’s growing north-eastern suburbs.

The $68.4 million Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road Interchange will improve north-south connectivity, while the $46.5 million Reid Highway widening will boost east-west road connections.

Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the two projects would bolster the congestion busting solutions for Perth motorists, and get people home sooner and safer.

“The Wanneroo Road and Ocean Reef Road Interchange is one of three Wanneroo Road projects worth a total of $146 million to keep the north-eastern suburbs moving,” Mr Tudge said.

“Wanneroo Road widening between Joondalup Drive and Flynn Drive is about to be completed, and construction is well-underway at the Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive Interchange.

“The three complementary projects will significantly improve congestion by delivering more consistent and reduced journey times.”

Mr Tudge said the Interchange project would boost jobs, with 350 jobs expected to be created, while the Reid Highway widening is estimated to create 400.

Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said both of these projects were key McGowan Government election commitments that we are pleased to be delivering in partnership with the Australian Government.

“This part of Reid Highway is one of the last remaining sections of single-carriageway highway in the entire metropolitan area so we are proud to be finally upgrading it,” Ms Saffioti said.

“When the Reid Highway duplication project gets underway, New Lord Street will be open, more of NorthLink WA will be open and the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will be progressing further towards a construction start date.

“We look forward to seeing this project progress, delivering an efficient east-west route across Perth’s north eastern suburbs for local residents, commuters and the freight industry. 

“This project is the latest milestone in the transformation of the road network in Perth’s north eastern corridor – we then embark on building the Morley-Ellenbrook Line.

“I am proud this contract is also delivering good outcomes for local jobs and industry, being the first Main Roads project delivered under the WA Industry Participation Strategy.”

The Federal Member for Moore Ian Goodenough said historically, the Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road intersection has been one of the most congested in the metropolitan area, ranked Perth’s 13th most congested in the 2017 Australian Road Research Board Report.

“The grade separated interchange will improve east-west connectivity between coastal suburbs and employment centres such as Wangara and Malaga by replacing traffic signals at the current intersections,” Mr Goodenough said.

“More efficient transport linkages will reduce commuting times for residents in the coastal suburbs of Moore and promote the economic development of commercial and industrial activity centres.

“It is pleasing to see a project I campaigned for 15 years ago whist a local government councillor at the City of Wanneroo finally being delivered.”

Congestion at the intersection led to a concerning safety record, with 197 crashes recorded between 2013 to 2017, including 167 rear-end collisions. Construction of the Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road intersection is expected to be complete in late-2020.

Meanwhile, Decmil Southern Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to design and construct the 4km dual-carriageway road between Altone Road and West Swan Road in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs.

The contract is the first major road project to be delivered under the WA Industry Participation Strategy, meaning the tenderer was required to outline its plan to guarantee local work. Construction is expected to start in mid-2019 following a period of detailed design and is expected to be completed in mid-2020.

The Reid Highway duplication project will also include a new bridge over Reid Highway at Arthur Street to connect the growing communities of Caversham and Dayton, thanks to a $7.5 million contribution from the City of Swan.

A principal shared path will be built alongside the widening project, enabling connectivity with other new cycle paths at New Lord Street and NorthLink WA to open up cycling access to Ellenbrook, the Swan Valley and suburbs along Reid Highway.

The $64.8 million project is jointly-funded by the Federal ($51.84 million) and State ($12.96 million) Governments.

The Reid Highway project is jointly-funded by the Federal ($56 million) and WA State ($14 million) Governments, with a $7.5 million contribution from the City of Swan towards the Arthur Street Bridge.

/Public Release. View in full here.