Preliminary plans for the Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor have been released today, the next major step in the McGowan Government's transformational Westport program.
The early concept design shows how the future container terminal in Kwinana's Outer Harbour will connect with Tonkin Highway, providing an efficient Western Australian freight and supply chain network.
The concept includes four traffic lanes and grade-separations at key intersections to provide uninterrupted movement for freight vehicles, and better safety for drivers.
While the final concept is subject to further planning and consultation, the road corridor has been identified and a Planning Control Area (PCA) will be put in place to ensure proposed developments in the area support the future road freight corridor.
Under a PCA, any proposed developments will be referred to the WA Planning Commission for approval to consider how it interacts with the future freight corridor.
All landowners who may be affected by the proposed PCAs will be personally contacted by the Westport Office for further discussions, with this engagement being undertaken as early as possible.
The Westport team are engaging with stakeholders, landowners and the local community to progress the design and are seeking feedback at mysaytransport.com.au.
While planning and design of the road corridor is ongoing, Westport is continuing to consider how goods can move as efficiently as possible through a Landside Logistics Opportunity Study.
Working with industry stakeholders, the study will identify and recommend a shortlist of options to consider in the supply chain and integrated design process.
Westport is the State Government's long-term program to investigate, plan and build a future port in Kwinana with integrated road and rail transport networks.
The 2021-22 State Budget included $400 million for the Westport program for strategic land acquisition and enabling works required for the development of a new port in the Kwinana industrial area.
The transformation of Tonkin Highway is already underway, with major construction works on the Tonkin Gap Project through Redcliffe.
Funding has already been allocated to upgrade three intersections - Hale Road, Welshpool Road and Kelvin Road - as well as to extend Tonkin Highway from Byford to Mundijong.
A number of interim upgrades are also planned for Thomas Road, over the next three years, to improve traffic safety and efficiency for the current traffic demands, while work continues to plan for the future freight corridor.
Details of further investment on Thomas Road, as outlined in the Federal Budget, will also be revealed shortly.
These including duplicating the road from Kwinana Freeway to Bombay Boulevard, installing street lighting from Bombay Boulevard to Kargotich Road, constructing dual lane roundabouts at the Thomas Road intersections with Nicholson Road and Kargotich Road and the already completed shoulder widening between Kwinana Freeway and Cumming Road.
As stated by Transport and Ports Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Westport is a once-in-a-lifetime project to deliver a new container port in Kwinana - it's important we get it right.
"Today's announcement of the preliminary design of the new freight corridor is a big step forward for the project.
"The Anketell-Thomas Road freight corridor will be a key link, connecting the new container terminal in the Outer Harbour with Tonkin Highway and meeting the needs of the Kwinana industrial area as it continues to grow.
"The transformation of Tonkin Highway is already underway, with the Tonkin Gap project under construction, and funding allocated for upgrades to three key interchanges and the extension from Byford to Mundijong.
"Now that we have a preliminary road design, the Westport team will be out and about talking to the community, local residents and businesses about the next steps."
