Joint media statement - Congestion relief for Cockburn with opening of new bridge over Kwinana Freeway

A program of congestion relief in Perth's southern suburbs has reached a major milestone with the opening of the Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge over Kwinana Freeway, slashing travel times by more than six minutes.

The new bridge and new northbound connections to and from Kwinana Freeway will address heavy congestion at the Armadale Road and Kwinana Freeway intersection, the third most congested intersection in Perth used by 55,000 vehicles daily.

Armadale Road has also been upgraded, passing over the intersection of Tapper Road with a new bridge, and under the intersection of Solomon Road via a trench structure, with local roads reconfigured with two new roundabouts to maintain connectivity.

Additional lanes and turning capacity have been added to the intersection of Armadale Road and Ghostgum Avenue to support ongoing residential growth in the suburb of Treeby.

For public transport users, the project has delivered a 1,100-bay car park at Cockburn Central Station and significantly improved access to and from the station by alleviating heavy congestion around the station car park during peak times.

The City of Cockburn's population is forecast to grow to over 170,000 by 2031, up from 106,000 in 2015. The City of Armadale's population is projected to grow to 128,000 from a current level of 82,000 within the same time frame.

As a result, the Australian and Western Australian governments have invested in infrastructure to match the growth of the area - including freeway upgrades, the recently completed Karel Avenue upgrade, the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Armadale Road duplication.

Other key upgrades underway in the southern suburbs include the High Street upgrade, the Kwinana Freeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Path from Leach Highway to Mount Henry Bridge and the Swan River Crossings project.

The $259 million Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge project was jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $207.2 million and the Western Australian Government committing $51.8 million.

Comments attributable to Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP:

"The Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge project is the centrepiece of a major $207.2 million investment by the Australian Government to relieve congestion in Perth's southern suburbs.

"By alleviating congestion through important projects like this one, we're helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we're helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we're generating jobs across the country."

Comments attributable to Western Australian Transport Minister, the Hon Rita Saffioti MLA:

"Our Government has a program of major infrastructure works across WA to help ease congestion, cut travel times and improve safety.

"The City of Cockburn is set to boom over the next decade, so it's important we are building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow.

"This project combined with the Kwinana Freeway upgrades, the recently opened Karel Avenue, the Armadale Road upgrades and the future METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link, will make a big difference every day for commuters."  

Comments attributable to Federal Member for Swan, Steve Irons MP:

"I am thrilled to see the bridge now open and benefiting local communities, such as cutting travel times and congestion to give commuters back more time to use on the things they enjoy.

"This is yet another example of our Government delivering for Western Australians under our record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia's world-leading economic recovery while getting people home sooner and safer."

Comments attributed to State Member for Cockburn David Scaife:

"As a regular Kwinana Freeway user, I know how frustrating the Cockburn pinch point is.

"This intersection is the third most congested in Perth, used by 55,000 vehicles daily and is incredibly frustrating for local residents.

"It's been a pleasure to work with Minister Saffioti on this job-creating, congestion-busting project."

WA Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500