Works underway on Perth's $386.5M eastern bypass upgrades

Works underway on Perth’s $386.5M eastern bypass upgrades

Works are well underway now on the $386.5 million Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges project in Perth’s east, which aims to upgrade two major highway interchanges, one at Roe Highway and the other at Abernethy Road.

Due for completion in 2024, the upgrades will provide better connectivity and improve safety in Perth’s Eastern Metropolitan Region. This will provide immediate benefits for over 60,000 road users per day.

The Greater Connect Alliance, comprising Laing O’Rourke, AECOM and Arcadis, in partnership with Main Roads, will deliver the project.

Initial construction activity is focussed on the Bypass around the intersection of Abernethy Road, including constructing a temporary alignment of the Bypass to keep traffic moving while the first of the new interchanges is under construction.

The project is funded by the Commonwealth Government and the Western Australian Government with contributions also made by the City of Swan and the City of Kalamunda.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said the Morrison Government was contributing $247 million to the project through the Urban Congestion Fund.

“The total number of Urban Congestion Fund projects that are now complete or underway nationwide is 76. A further 12 are expected to start construction this year,” the Minister said.

“By the end of 2022, more than 80 per cent of all packages are expected to be completed or under construction.”

Western Australian Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti said the Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges Project would be a “game-changer” for road users in Perth’s east.

“The project brings together five long-awaited road upgrades, which will reduce congestion, improve safety and enhance access into Midland, while providing better connectivity to the Hazelmere, Forrestfield, Kewdale and Perth Airport industrial areas,” she said.

“It will also complete the the final link in a 30 kilometre Principal Shared Path along Roe Highway between Midland and Jandakot, creating an uninterrupted path for cyclists and pedestrians.”

Construction of the other key parts of the project will begin progressively from 2022 onwards with overall completion scheduled for 2024.