WA Labor to bust congestion and boost freight efficiency in Perth’s south

• A re-elected Cook Labor Government will deliver a major package of road initiatives in Perth’s south
• Kwinana Freeway to be widened in both directions adding significant capacity
• Projects will reduce congestion, improve travel times and enhance freight efficiency
• Road investment will support future growth of the Western Trade Coast

Busting congestion on the Kwinana Freeway will headline a package of southern suburbs road initiatives to be delivered by a re-elected Cook Labor Government.

The road projects will ease congestion, reduce travel times, boost freight efficiency and support future development of the Western Trade Coast including defence industries and Westport.

A WA Labor Government will invest $350 million to widen the Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Mortimer Road including:

• an additional lane in both directions between Russell Road and Mortimer Road, taking the section of freeway from two lanes to three
• an additional lane southbound between Roe Highway and Berrigan Drive taking the section of freeway from four lanes to five
• an additional lane northbound from Russell Road to Beeliar Drive taking the section of freeway from three lanes to four
• addition of coordinated ramp signals between Safety Bay Road to Roe Highway to improve flow of traffic on the freeway

The Kwinana Freeway between Russell Road and Mortimer Road typically sees around 100,000 vehicles every day, with around 10-15% being heavy freight.

The investment will add around 50 per cent capacity to the upgraded sections of the Kwinana Freeway, where congestion continues to create frustration for motorists and reduce the efficient movement of freight.

The WA Labor Government would seek a matching contribution from the Federal Government to deliver the $700 million project.

The major investment comes on top of the $230 million invested into the Kwinana Freeway by the WA Labor Government since 2017, including widening and the new Smart Freeway systems.

The project will also create thousands of jobs during the construction phase, continuing WA Labor’s strong track record of investment in job-creating economic infrastructure projects.

Other initiatives to be delivered by a re-elected WA Labor Government include:

• $17 million to build roundabouts at the intersections of Kargotich Road with Abernethy Road, Orton Road and Gossage Road, supporting the growth of Byford and Mundijong
• $7 million to deliver upgrades to the Baldivis Road and Kulija Road intersection including new traffic signals and an additional westbound through lane on Kulija Road to avoid queues back to the freeway interchange in the morning peak periods
• a $1.5 million contribution towards the upgrade of the intersection of Nicholson Road and Warton Road

The commitments come on top of a number of significant road projects already being delivered in Perth’s south including the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road upgrades, which will support the rapidly growing communities of Byford, Oakford and Cardup.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $125 million over the forward estimates to deliver the major roads package for Perth’s southern suburbs.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“As a Kwinana local, I know the frustration of being stuck in congestion on the Kwinana Freeway, but a re-elected WA Labor Government will fix this issue in the next term of Government."

“Widening the Kwinana Freeway will deliver a significant boost to capacity, ease congestion and make everyone’s journey smoother and easier."

“The investment will also support future development of the Western Trade Coast, ensuring the efficient movement of freight to and from Kwinana."

“Only WA Labor has a plan to deliver the infrastructure needed to keep Western Australians and our state moving.”