The ongoing program of congestion relief in Perth's north-eastern suburbs has reached another milestone, with NRW Contracting Pty Ltd named preferred proponent for the design and construction of two new interchanges on Reid Highway.
The $225 million Reid Highway Interchanges Project, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments committing $112.5 million each, will see two free-flowing interchanges constructed to replace the signalised intersections at Altone Road and Drumpellier Drive/Daviot Road.
As part of the project, Reid Highway will be modified to pass over Altone Road, while a new bridge will be constructed to allow Drumpellier Drive/Daviot Road to pass over Reid Highway.
Access ramps and roundabouts will also be constructed to maintain connectivity to and from the highway.
The configuration will utilise the existing space around each intersection effectively and minimise the impact of the bridges on neighbouring residents.
For cyclists and pedestrians, a new bridge and underpasses will also be constructed, resulting in a free-flowing continuous shared path network from West Swan Road through to Malaga Drive.
The intersections of Altone Road and Drumpellier Drive are two of only five remaining signalised intersections along Reid Highway. Congestion at each intersection is a growing issue due to increased traffic volumes from ongoing residential and commercial development in Perth's north-eastern corridor.
Reid Highway also serves as a strategic east-west freight route. Following the recent opening of Tonkin Highway between Morley and Muchea, the new interchanges will further enhance the movement of heavy vehicles by removing signalised intersections on the strategic freight route.
Construction is on track to begin in the first half of 2024 and scheduled for completion in early 2026.
Quotes attributed to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Australian Government continues to work closely with the Western Australian Government to deliver critical road, rail and cycling infrastructure to improve safety and reduce congestion.
"Reid Highway is a vital freight route across Perth's northern suburbs and the progressive removal of signalised intersections is delivering shorter, safer and more predictable journey times."
Quotes attributed to WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti:
"The State Government continues to invest in Perth's north-eastern corridor to provide high-quality transport links to meet the needs of our growing communities.
"The Reid Highway Interchanges Project will significantly improve traffic flow along this critical freight route and follows the removal of the last single carriageway section of the highway in 2020 and the upgrade of Tonkin Highway between Morley and Muchea.
"With construction of the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line making great progress and the Tonkin Gap Project completed in December, our government is delivering the infrastructure that will support the significant growth expected in Perth's north-east in the coming years."
Quotes attributed to Federal Member for Hasluck Tania Lawrence:
"The residents of areas like Bennett Springs, Dayton and Caversham have asked for more efficient roads and transport corridors and the Albanese and Cook Governments are delivering.
These new interchanges, coupled with the new Ellenbrook train line, will mean more time with family and less time in traffic."
Quotes attributed to Federal Member for Cowan Anne Aly:
"We know peak hour traffic can be painful especially when you're running late and getting nowhere.
The interchanges will help locals in Cowan, who won't have to wait at the lights just to get to the local shops, improving accessibility and reducing congestion and travel times."
Quotes attributed to State Member for Bassendean Dave Kelly:
"The delivery of this major project will help to relieve traffic congestion and improve travel time along Reid Highway.
"Main Roads WA and the State Government is committed to working constructively with local residents during construction to minimize impact on the surrounding area."
Quotes attributed to State Member for Midland Michelle Roberts:
"We know these signalised intersections cause significant frustration for motorists and hinder the efficient movement of goods and freight that's why we are making this significant investment to remove them.
"As our north-eastern corridor continues to grow, traffic congestion will only become worse, but these new interchanges will deliver free-flowing vehicle movements while also maintaining access to Reid Highway for the surrounding road network."
