Plans progress for the $100 million transformation of Thomas Road in WA

An additional $30 million in funding has been added to the Federal and Western Australian Government’s plan to transform Thomas Road in Perth’s south east.

There is now $100 million in total funding for upgrades to Thomas Road.

Works on the Thomas Road and Kargotich Road interchange were originally given $3 million and through this additional funding will receive a further $6 million. This will allow for the roundabout to be upgraded to a dual lane roundabout.

The remainder of the extra funding will be put towards safety upgrades, with $5 million allocated to street lighting and low cost shoulder widening works.

Thomas Road and Nicholson Road intersection will also be improved, a new two lane roundabout is set to be installed there to improve safety for the 19,000 vehicles that use the route daily.

As the largest project in the Thomas Road program, early works are now underway on the construction of a new bridge on Thomas Road over the existing rail corridor. This is a key part of the future METRONET Byford Rail Extension and is the first level crossing between Byford and Armadale to be reconfigured.

The $52 million project will see a four lane bridge constructed and is set to be completed in late 2022.

Planning is also progressing to expand a one-kilometre section of Thomas Road to a dual carriageway, immediately east of Kwinana Freeway. This will make way for the anticipated commercial sector development in the area, with works set to start in late 2021.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said these upgrades would transform Thomas Road and change the way people in Byford and the south-eastern suburbs travel.

“These upgrades will completely transform the area and improve safety and efficiency for the thousands of drivers who use Thomas Road every day,” she said.

“The removal of the Thomas Road level crossing is the first step in the Byford Rail Extension which will give people in Byford better connections to work, school and fun.”