Construction on the central section of the $1.12 billion NorthLink WA, which will eventually halve journey times between Morley and Ellenbrook in Perth’s north, is now under way.
The contract for this second stage of the project was awarded to the Great Northern Connect team, a joint venture between BGC Contracting and Laing O’Rourke earlier in the year.
The contractor commenced official construction at the beginning of June.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the central part of the project will improve safety and ease congestion on the roads.
“Road safety will also be improved by using a combination of median strips, and around 150 kilometres of road safety barriers to separate vehicles from oncoming traffic, as well as eliminating one of the state’s most dangerous intersections.
“This project will allow our farmers and primary producers to get goods to market quicker, while remaining competitive in global and domestic markets.”
NorthLink WA will provide a new transport link from the Perth Airport area to Muchea.
The project aims to remove 80 per cent of heavy vehicles from the Great Northern Highway onto the new route once complete.
Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said NorthLink WA will give the communities of Ellenbrook, Bennett Springs, Beechboro and Ballajura faster and safer access to their destinations.
“When finished, the improved and extended Tonkin Highway will be capable of carrying more than double the current number of vehicles and the free flow of traffic will mean vehicles keep moving and travel times improve.
“Part of this project also includes the duplication of Reid Highway up to Altone Road, while the rest of the duplication will be completed as part of another Federal-State project partnership.”
NorthLink WA will potentially help travellers avoid up to 16 sets of traffic lights, two railway crossing, and 21 speed limit changes from Kewdale to Muchea.
The Australian Government has committed $820 million and Western Australian Government has committed $204 million for the NorthLink WA project.
All sections of NorthLink WA are expected to be completed by mid-2019.
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