Perth's $165M Stephenson Avenue extension moves to second phase

Perth’s $165M Stephenson Avenue extension moves to second phase

The Stephenson Avenue Extension project is part of the City of Stirling’s broader plan to transform the Stirling City Centre.

Work is now underway on the second phase of the Stephenson Avenue Extension project in Perth, which is extending the busy road from Howe Street to Mitchell Freeway and Cedric Street interchange.

The $165 million project, funded on a 50:50 basis by the Western Australian and Federal Governments, is being delivered in two phases, with the first phase from Scarborough Beach Road to Howe Street completed in February last year.

The second phase of the project is expected to support an estimated 800 jobs. When complete, the project will provide a new connection from Cedric Street to Scarborough Beach Road, including a new grade-separated Mitchell Freeway interchange with a southbound Smart Freeway on-ramp, as well as new local road links to Ellen Stirling Boulevard.

The project will also deliver a $90 million refurbishment to the Stirling Bus Interchange, upgrading it from an 18-stand facility to a 30-stand bus interchange.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said the Federal Government’s funding for the project was part of the Urban Congestion Fund.

“The total number of projects within this program that are now completed or underway nationwide is 85. By the end of 2022, more than 80 per cent of all packages are expected to be completed or under construction.”

Phase two is being delivered by the S2M Evolution Alliance, a consortium of Acciona, Clough and WSP under an alliance contract.

Stephenson Avenue Extension phase one, delivered by the City of Stirling, opened in February 2022 and has provided an alternative connection for motorists to access Ellen Stirling Boulevard and Scarborough Beach Road through new roads Howe Street and Oswald Street.

WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti the extension would completely change the way local residents and visitors accessed the area, while also opening up currently undeveloped land directly adjacent to the Stirling Train Station and the Mitchell Freeway.

“Like all major projects, there will be some disruptions to the area when the freeway and bus interchanges are constructed. We apologise in advance for this inconvenience while we are building the infrastructure for tomorrow,” she noted.

In addition to committing $82.5 million each towards the construction of the Stephenson Avenue Extension, the Western Australian and Federal Governments have each committed $45 million towards the construction of the Stirling Bus Interchange.

Final cost estimates and delivery timeframes are subject to further design and finalisation of scope.