The next phase of major improvements to Tonkin Highway is set to begin, with NRW Holdings awarded the contract to upgrade the section between Roe Highway to south of Welshpool Road.

The project is part of bigger Tonkin Highway Corridor upgrades being jointly funded by the Australian and State governments to improve safety, ease congestion and deliver more reliable travel times.

Works included in the contract include widening the Tonkin Highway to six lanes, as well as constructing new grade-separated interchanges at Welshpool Road East and Hale Road.

A new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians will also be delivered as part of the upgrades.

The project is expected to generate 600 jobs annually during construction.

Construction will be staged, with work on the Welshpool Road East interchange scheduled to begin first to maintain local connectivity during the project.

Utility relocation works by Western Power are currently under way along Hale Road, with major construction expected to begin later this year once those works are completed.

Planning and development work is also continuing for a future interchange at Kelvin Road, which will form a later stage of the Tonkin Highway Corridor transformation.

The upgrades add to a series of major projects along the route, including the Tonkin Highway Extension, Thomas Road Upgrade, and the completion of the Tonkin Highway Gap project in 2024.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the project would not only help reduce congestion, but improve safety, efficiency and reliability across this “crucial transport link”.

“By investing in the Tonkin Highway Corridor, we are not just improving infrastructure, but also laying the foundation for future prosperity, ensuring West Australians enjoy safer, more efficient travel for years to come,” she said.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the Labor Government was delivering record investments in the State’s road network.

“Tonkin Highway is a crucial transport link that helps drive our State’s economy and connects communities across our south-eastern suburbs,” she said.

“These upgrades will help traffic flow more smoothly through this corridor, improving safety for all road users and reducing travel times for locals.

“It’s part of our long-term transformation of Tonkin Highway which, once complete, will improve safety and efficiency from Muchea to Mundijong.”

Bullwinkel MHR Trish Cook described Tonkin Highway as an “incredibly important road for the community”.

“We are working together on this important project for Perth’s south-eastern suburbs,” she said.

Forrestfield MLA Stephen Price said the upgrades will improve safety and reduce congestion along this busy freight route, so locals spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.

“This project will also deliver new walking and cycling infrastructure to help our community stay active and connected,” he said.