Upgrades complete for Thomas Road

Works have wrapped up on the $81 million upgrade of Thomas Road, south of Perth, with both heavy and regular vehicle drivers benefitting from smoother and safer journeys along the connection.

The large volume of heavy vehicles and other through traffic travelling to and from the South West and Wheatbelt regions necessitated these works, with more than 19,000 vehicles passing through intersections in the area daily.

Starting in early 2022, the program of works have delivered a range of improvements, including a dual carriageway between Kwinana Freeway and Bombay Boulevard; construction of a roundabout at Bombay Boulevard and a four-metre-wide pedestrian and cyclist path with lighting, as well as the construction of a dual lane roundabout at Thomas Road and Nicholson Road and upgrades on approach to the intersection.

Works also saw the construction of a dual lane roundabout at Thomas Road and Kargotich Road; additional street lighting between Bombay Boulevard and Kargotich Road; and added safety measures including shoulder widening, new line markings, raised reflectors and resurfacing.

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The final package of works involved the construction of new two-lane roundabouts at the intersections of Nicholson and Kargotich Road.

Further upgrades are planned for the road through the Tonkin Highway Extension, which is expected to commence construction next year.

Western Australia Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the works would help to improve the safety and efficiency of the “critical route” for freight and the local community.

“The safety upgrades have included additional lanes, more street lighting and roundabouts – all of which will provide a safer and smoother journey for road users,” she said.

“These upgrades will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion while making it safer for heavy vehicles, including oversize, over-mass loads, to traverse this key freight route.”