- Request for Proposal released for Stage One of the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrades
- Two short-listed Alliances invited to submit proposals
- Project will see Tonkin Highway extended and Thomas Road upgraded
- Expression Of Interest also released for Stage Two of the project
Shortlisted contractors can now submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Stage One of the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade, marking an important milestone in the project's procurement process.
The shortlisted consortia are made up of the following companies:
- Tonkin Extend Alliance (Laing O'Rourke, Garli, WSP and Arcadis); and
- Tonkin Extension Alliance (Georgiou, BMD, Civcon, GHD and BG&E).
Perth's south-west corridor is being enhanced with a 14km extension of Tonkin Highway to South Western Highway and upgrades to Thomas Road, to reduce traffic pressure and improve connectivity.
Stage One will see Tonkin Highway extended from Thomas Road to Mundijong Road as a four-lane dual carriageway, and Thomas Road upgraded to South Western Highway including duplication from Kargotich Road to South Western Highway and the construction of a grade separated interchange at Thomas Road and Tonkin Highway.
The works will provide a non-stop transport link between Oakford and Mundijong, enhancing access to ports and the south west, and growing residential and commercial areas to the south, west and east.
Local residents and road users will enjoy safer and quieter communities by attracting heavy traffic away from local roads. They will also be better connected with safe pedestrian and cycling facilities, and new equine crossings.
The project complements the nearby METRONET Byford Rail Extension, METRONET Thomas Road Over Rail, and Thomas Road Safety Improvements between Kwinana Freeway and South Western Highway, to provide communities in our south with greater access to our transport network.
An Alliance contract is expected to be awarded in late 2024.
An Expression of Interest for Stage Two of the project, Tonkin Highway extension from Mundijong Road to South Western Highway has also been released.
The project will support around 2,020 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase.
More than $1 billion in funding is allocated for the project, with the Commonwealth and State Governments committing $749 million and $296 million respectively.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The extension of Tonkin Highway represents the largest road investment Perth's south-east corridor has ever seen.
"The project will increase network capacity, improve road freight efficiency and ease traffic congestion on local roads now and in the future.
"It will improve access to growing residential and commercial areas, the airport and the freeway, and better connect people to jobs and education opportunities.
"The project also supports and aligns with our Westport outer harbour plans in Kwinana, and will also provide even better transport options for our southern suburbs alongside the METRONET Byford Train Station."
As stated by Darling Range MLA Hugh Jones:
"The extension of Tonkin Highway to South Western Highway and upgrades to Thomas Road are an incredibly important project to our community.
"The extension and upgrades will assist in removing heavy vehicles from local roads and also facilitate more efficient movement of freight between Perth and the South West.
"Whether it's the delivery of a train station in Byford or the biggest road investment in the State's history, our Government will continue to do what is right by our community."
