Major works to improve safety and bust congestion at one of Perth's most dangerous intersections - the Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange - are now underway.
Construction will be completed by the Leach Welshpool Alliance, a consortium made up of local contractors Georgiou Group Pty Ltd, BG&E Pty Ltd and Golder Associates Pty Ltd.
The $136 million project is anticipated to create and support up to 600 jobs.
The interchange upgrade will improve the most dangerous and second most congested intersection in WA, with 224 crashes recorded between 2015 and 2019, of which 204 were rear-end collisions.
The project will deliver a new grade-separated intersection with Leach Highway bridging over Welshpool Road; an at grade roundabout at the intersection of Leach Highway and Welshpool Road; and an upgrade of the Leach Highway Bridge over rail south of the interchange.
The design of the interchange will improve traffic flow and is expected to reduce peak travel times, while easing pressure on the local road network.
The project is jointly funded, with the Morrison Government and Western Australian Government each committing $68 million.
As stated by Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan:
"This important upgrade will fix one of WA's most dangerous intersections, where hundreds of crashes have occurred in recent years.
"The work is being delivered by a consortium of local companies and will create and support about 600 local jobs.
"This is all part of our plan to support local jobs and the economy through COVID-19, while delivering important upgrades to our transport networks."
As stated by Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher:
"This project will provide Perth drivers with a safer and more efficient east-west freight connection, particularly between Fremantle and the industrial areas of Kewdale and Welshpool.
"About 50,000 vehicles pass through this intersection every weekday, with the area servicing key commercial activities in local industrial areas, Perth Airport, Kewdale Freight Terminal and surrounding residential areas.
"This project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline."
As stated by WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange is a well-known pinch point for commuters.
"These upgrades will improve safety, ease congestion, encourage better flow of traffic as well as saving commuters travel time during peak hour.
"Combined with our level crossing removals along the Armadale Line this will completely transform this transport corridor."
As stated by Federal Member for Swan the Hon Steve Irons MP:
"The road separation of Leach Highway and Welshpool Road will be a fantastic outcome for the 50,000 users per day.
"I have been a long time supporter and advocate of upgrades to this intersection, which is currently ranked as one of the most dangerous in WA.
"These works are a part of the ongoing commitment by the Morrison Government to the recovery of our economy and to get people home safer and sooner with funding for congestion busting infrastructure."
