Sod turned on non-stop northern transport route
- NorthLink WA to provide non-stop transport route between Morley and Muchea
- $1.12 billion investment in freight transport system
- Project will directly employ about 1,000 people
The ground has been officially broken on the first section of the $1.12 billion NorthLink WA project to provide a non-stop transport route between Morley and Muchea.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the project was an essential component in the Liberal National Government’s long-planned integrated freight transport system for Perth.
“NorthLink WA is a major infrastructure investment that will bring benefits to the whole community,” Mr Nalder said.
Tonkin Highway will become a six-lane freeway between Guildford Road and Reid Highway, with new interchanges at Collier Road and Morley Drive, and a flyover at Benara Road.
Other flyovers will be built at Beechboro Road North and Marshall Road, with interchanges at Hepburn Avenue, Gnangara Road and The Promenade at Ellenbrook.
“Tonkin Highway provides a vital link for traffic movements to commercial and industrial areas across Perth,” the Minister said.
Mr Nalder said Tonkin Highway carried more than 70,000 vehicles a day and the project would result in more free-flowing traffic, similar to the Gateway WA project.
“Travelling on the freight route from Kewdale to Muchea, NorthLink will potentially avoid up to 16 sets of traffic lights, one railway crossing and 21 speed limit changes,” he said.
This first section, being undertaken by John Holland Pty Ltd, involves the construction of the Collier Road and Morley Drive interchanges and the Benara Road flyover.
The Minister also announced a joint venture between BGC Contracting Pty Ltd and Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd – Great Northern Connect – as the preferred proponent for the next section between Reid Highway and Ellenbrook. Construction was expected to start in early 2017.
Fact File
- Works on the southern section of NorthLink WA started in mid-June
- $223 million is being invested by the State Government and $894 million by the Australian Government
Source: News Release, Government of Western Australia, 15, June 2016