Highway Construction Pty Ltd has won a $58 million state government contract to widen Kwinana Freeway between Leach Highway and Roe Highway to three lanes.
Highway Construction Pty Ltd has won a $58 million state government contract to widen Kwinana Freeway between Leach Highway and Roe Highway to three lanes.
The company was selected ahead of Macmahon Contractors and Leighton Holdings from a shortlist of three firms.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell today announced construction work to commence in June 2011 and take about 10 months to complete.
The Minister said 107,000 vehicles per day travel on Kwinana Freeway between Leach and Roe highways, with this expected to rise to 113,000 in 2016 and to 131,000 in 2031.
"The current two lane configuration is just not coping with the current levels of road usage, up around 107,000 vehicles per day, and this is one of the main points of congestion on the Perth road network," Mr Buswell told reporters today.
"This widening of the freeway will go a long way to helping ease congestion, especially at peak periods."
Mr Buswell said the project would also improve freight transport efficiency and reliability to the Port of Fremantle.
The Minister said the project was one of many the state government had looked at in order to reduce congestion on Perth's main arterial roads.
"People are crying out for these sorts of improvements and we're happy to make them as quickly as we possibly can," Mr Buswell said.
"There is no doubt that widening the freeway both to the south and to the north is an important part of helping us deal with the growing population of Perth.
"Ultimately we need to look to move to three lanes further south down to Armadale Road, and in the north on the Mitchell Freeway we are currently working on plans to widen that as well.
"Widening the freeways is important but it's not the only part of the solution to helping Perth's growing population move around the metropolitan area."
Funding for the widening and upgrade of the 4.5km section of the freeway is split between the State Government, through Main Roads, and the Federal Government.
The existing freeway and ramps will be resurfaced, while other project elements include noise walls and shared paths.
A special consultation group, which will include local residents, will be formed to engage key stakeholders and raise public awareness of the project.
