Motorists are being asked to be patient as construction work on Tonkin Highway ramps up over coming months on the Tonkin Gap project.
Groundworks are now underway on the northern section of the project including the enabling works for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, in the median of Tonkin Highway and underneath the Reid Highway and Tonkin Highway interchange.
Trains will run from the new Bayswater Station down the middle of Tonkin Highway, with the current works on construction of two underpasses with dive structures, to allow trains to enter Tonkin Highway and then exit before the new Malaga Station.
New road and bus bridges will be built at Broun Avenue, including a bus interchange station, to provide access to the future Morley Station.
Work on the southern end of the Tonkin Gap project will also commence very shortly and will fix one of Perth's most congested roads, Tonkin Highway between Morley and Redcliffe, which carries more than 120,000 vehicles daily.
Works include widening Tonkin Highway to provide new lanes in each direction from Dunreath Drive to Collier Road, new bridges over the Swan River, Dunstone Road, Guildford Road, Railway Parade and a new fully grade-separated Principal Shared Path on the western side of Tonkin Highway from north of the Guildford Road interchange to Stanton Road.
It is expected to save 17,000 road users who use this section of Tonkin Highway up to six minutes during morning peak and up to 11 minutes during afternoon peak.
Works on this project have been fast tracked to support WA's COVID-19 economic recovery.
The Tonkin Gap project is being delivered by the Tonkin Gap alliance, comprised of BMD, Georgiou Group, WA Limestone, BG&E and GHD, with contract cost estimated to be $400 million.
Premier Mark McGowan said major infrastructure projects such as METRONET and the Tonkin Gap project were vital to the State's COVID-19 recovery, while creating better transport options and improving road congestion for commuters and the surrounding communities.
"We are investing almost $12 billion on building transport infrastructure over the next four years, creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses," he said.
"The start of these works signal the beginning of the next infrastructure transformation in the north eastern suburbs, after the success of the Tonkin Highway extension and Reid Highway works.
"This year alone we have seven METRONET projects underway and through our Building for Tomorrow program, we are creating lasting infrastructure for generations to come."
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Tonkin Highway Gap and Morley-Ellenbrook rail line would truly be a jobs bonanza for WA with thousands of local jobs created across both projects.
"Not only is this critical infrastructure that the Morrison Government has prioritised, it also means thousands of jobs for hard working West Australians," Mr Tudge said.
"It's crucial that we support the WA economy as we come out the other side of COVID and fast-tracking projects like the Tonkin Highway Gap is part of our plan."
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the start of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line enabling works was a significant step in delivering on the McGowan Government's election commitment.
"Just weeks ago we signed the main construction contract for the Morley-Ellenbrook line," she said.
"We now have workers on the ground starting the vital enabling works for the train to travel down Tonkin Highway to Ellenbrook - just like we promised.
"These works will create thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.
"There will be significant traffic management and inconvenience over the coming years however doing the enabling works and highway upgrades under one contract will mean less disruption further down the track. I thank everyone in advance for their patience."
The Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said it was great to see work progressing for the Tonkin Highway Gap project.
"The Morrison Government is providing record amount of funding to infrastructure projects in Swan," Mr Irons said.
"In addition the commencement of these works are essential to our economic recovery here in WA."
The MEL rail enabling works portion will be complete in late 2022 and the full Tonkin Gap project will be complete in late 2023.
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500
