Joint media statement - Murdoch Drive Connection opens to traffic

The $112.5 million Murdoch Drive Connection fully opens to traffic on Monday, marking another major infrastructure milestone in Perth's southern suburbs.

A new southern access to Fiona Stanley Hospital and the Murdoch Activity Centre (MAC) will open overnight, with the Murdoch Drive extension to Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway ready for traffic on Monday morning.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Morrison Government had prioritised the importance of keeping vital infrastructure projects on track through the COVID-19 crisis.

"The extension of Murdoch Drive is part of our commitment to building projects that bust congestion and get people home sooner and safer," Mr Tudge said.

"Traffic around Murdoch Activity Centre in normal times is a huge frustration for drivers and will only increase as the Centre develops into one of the largest employers outside the Perth CBD.

"This project supports the ongoing development of the Centre and improves access for visitors, patients and emergency vehicles going to Fiona Stanley Hospital."

Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the opening of Murdoch Drive Connection part of a series of changes happening along the Kwinana Freeway in coming weeks and months.

"It joins an extensive list of southern suburb road projects that are currently nearing completion and will deliver major time savings once completed," Ms Saffioti said.

"Murdoch Drive Connection will improve safety for thousands of motorists every day, as well as saving about five minutes of travel time each way during peak hours.

"The benefits of our southern suburbs road transformation will be seen for years to come and will be bolstered by the expansion of our rail system through METRONET.

"A record number of infrastructure contracts have been awarded under the McGowan Government, which has put the State in a strong position to respond to the economic impacts of the current pandemic in the months and years to come."

Three new bridges were constructed as part of the project, with a total of 36 beams installed. 

The Roe Highway Bridge has the longest bridge beams on the road network, spanning 50 metres in length and weighing 190 tonnes each. They stretch from one side of the freeway to the other, with no supporting piers in the rail corridor.

The project forms part of the transformation of Perth's southern suburbs road network, being the second of seven projects to complete construction.

It also included construction of a section of the Kwinana Freeway Northbound Widening project from Bolderwood Reserve to Farrington Road, including widening the Farrington Road on-ramp.

An upgraded Principal Shared Path (PSP) for pedestrians and cyclists between Russell Road and Beeliar Drive and from Cockburn Central through to Farrington Road, will also open from Monday morning.

The $112.5 million project was jointly-funded by the Australian ($90 million) and State ($22.5 million) governments.

Transport and Planning Minister's office - 6552 5500