The McGowan Government's third State Budget provides $4.2 billion in total for road infrastructure and maintenance initiatives to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and create jobs.
The 2019-20 State Budget builds on the 'Boosting Jobs, Busting Congestion' program launched by the McGowan Government soon after the 2017 State Election, which reallocated Perth Freight Link funds to a series of road and rail projects.
Many of the projects in the 'Boosting Jobs, Busting Congestion' program are now under construction or starting this financial year.
This year's Budget incorporates $1.52 billion for much-needed new road projects across the eastern and southern suburbs of Perth, including $1.2 billion for the Tonkin Highway Transformation Project which will provide:
- Tonkin Highway Gap upgrade - widening Tonkin Highway from Great Eastern Highway to just north of Guildford Road;
- Tonkin Highway grade separated interchanges at Kelvin and Welshpool roads and a new flyover at Hale Road; and
- Tonkin Highway extension from Thomas Road to South Western Highway in Mundijong.
A further $156 million is committed to getting construction underway this year for two major eastern suburbs projects - the Reid Highway duplication, between Beechboro Road and West Swan Road, and the Roe Highway-Kalamunda Road interchange.
Meanwhile, further works will begin in 2020 to improve transport around the eastern suburbs, including Great Eastern Highway Bypass grade separated interchanges at Roe Highway and Abernethy Road, and the Lloyd Street extension.
New major projects also include the $230 million Fremantle Traffic Bridge replacement project, and $215 million for the 5.6 kilometre extension of the Mitchell Freeway from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road in our northern suburbs.
Record funding will be spent on regional roads, to start or complete major projects:
- $175 million for the construction of the Albany Ring Road to divert heavy haulage around the City of Albany;
- $30 million for further improvements to South Coast Highway between Albany and Jerramungup;
- $852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;
- $59 million for upgrades to the Ord River-Halls Creek to Warmun section of Great Northern Highway;
- $65.7 million for the upgrade and sealing of the remaining 90 kilometres of the Broome-Cape Leveque Road;
- $310 million for the upgrade and sealing of the Karratha-Tom Price Road;
- $347.2 million for the continued improvements to Great Northern Highway (Muchea to Wubin);
- $275 million for the construction of the 46 kilometre Bindoon Bypass; and
- $14 million for the duplication of Great Eastern Highway between Anzac Drive and Gatacre Drive in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Road safety related programs receiving funding include:
- The Safer Roads and Bridge Improvements Program for road safety priorities across the State ($43 million in 2019-20);
- Continuation of the Regional Road Safety Program with $55 million going towards various regional road safety projects ($20.7 million in 2019-20);
- $46 million in 2019-20 from the Road Trauma Trust Account to counter urban metropolitan intersection and regional run-off crashes as well as continued safety improvements to Indian Ocean Drive, Toodyay Road and Great Eastern Highway; and
- $20.7 million to continue the State Black Spot Program.
For more 2019-20 State Budget information, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Our investment in WA roads is seeing our transport network transform over time.
"Major roads and intersections are being built across our State that are creating thousands of jobs in the process.
"Importantly our investment in roads means more Western Australians can spend less time on the road, stuck in traffic, and more time with their friends and family."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The 2019-20 Budget builds on the work the McGowan Government has initiated in its first two years in office, delivering on election commitments, creating thousands of jobs and improving road safety and reducing congestion.
"The Budget provides a major economic boost for Western Australia while improving general connectivity and the movement of road freight across the Perth metropolitan area and the State generally.
"There is an ongoing emphasis on social outcomes, with a continued focus on providing opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and employment and local industry participation in road contracts.
"There is also a focus on the 'liveable environment' with sustainability in planning and, where appropriate, the use of recycled materials in road building.
"As the construction of METRONET continues, we're also looking at how our roads and cycle paths interact with new station precincts to deliver the best possible outcomes for commuters."
