Preferred proponent chosen to deliver Kwinana Freeway upgrade

Major upgrades to Perth’s Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road are one step closer, with the appointment of the preferred proponent to build the project. The consortium comprised of CPB Contractors, McConnell Dowell Constructors, Arup Australia Projects, and Jacobs Group will now begin negotiations with Main Roads WA prior to the contract award. The $700 million Kwinana Freeway Upgrade, jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments, will ease congestion and improve safety across Perth’s southern suburbs. New lanes will be added to key sections of the freeway, including a third lane in each direction for the 11-kilometre stretch between Russell Rd and Mortimer Rd. A new southbound lane will be added between Roe Hwy and Berrigan Drive, as well as a new northbound lane from Russell Rd to Beeliar Dr. The additional lanes will increase the freeway’s capacity by helping to reduce travel time, improve safety, and reduce congestion for people living in and travelling to Perth’s southern suburbs. New coordinated ramp signals on the northbound ramps between Safety Bay Rd and Roe Hwy will also help to smooth the flow of traffic on the freeway at busy times. Median and verge barriers on both carriageways will be upgraded at key sections to protect road users and increase safety on the freeway. Detailed design will be undertaken in the second half of this year, with construction expected to begin early 2027 subject to environmental and heritage approvals. Once work is under way, the project is expected to support up to 4,180 jobs. Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook: “Our delivery of this key election commitment is proof that only my WA Labor Government is putting WA first. “Widening the Kwinana Freeway will support Western Australians in the southern suburbs of Perth get to home, work, and school faster. “Working with the Albanese Labor Government, we are delivering quality infrastructure across our State to support a high quality of life for all Western Australians.” Comments attributed to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: “This is an exciting milestone and paves the way for awarding the contract for the Kwinana Freeway Upgrade project, which will help ease congestion on one of Perth’s busiest transport corridors. “Kwinana Freeway continues to be one of the busiest roads in Perth with about 100,000 vehicle movements every weekday and currently experiences congestion during peak periods. “The upgrades will address rising traffic demands, improve road safety, and facilitate economic opportunities and development of industrial zones.” Comments attributed to WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti: “We’re proud to be delivering major upgrades to the Kwinana Freeway with a preferred proponent now appointed, putting us on track to start works next year. “By adding extra lanes, smart traffic management, and barrier upgrades, this project will improve road safety and help traffic flow more smoothly during peak periods. “These upgrades will make a big difference to the daily lives of people commuting from our southern suburbs, as well as the growing number of people working in the commercial and industrial precincts between Perth and Rockingham. “The Cook Labor Government is committed to improving safety and cutting congestion on our roads and this project will do just that across one of our city’s busiest transports corridors.” Comments attributed to Federal Member for Brand Madeleine King: “This is another practical example of how Federal and State Labor are delivering real benefits for families and workers in Perth’s southern suburbs. “By adding extra lanes and upgrades to Kwinana Freeway, workers and families will spend less time in traffic and more time with loved ones. “These upgrades will also support the local economy, supporting industry and business and creating good and well-paid jobs. “Labor is delivering real benefits for the people of Rockingham, Kwinana, and suburbs like Warnbro, Port Kennedy, and Baldivis.”