The Western Australian State Budget includes a record $4.2 billion to build new road infrastructure across both metropolitan and regional WA, with 25 major projects to get underway over 2019-20.
Transport snapshot:
- $4.1 billion allocated to METRONET projects in total over the forward estimates
- Six rail projects totalling 72km being planned or under construction
- $415 million allocated for a boom gate blitz on the Armadale Line
- WA jobs maximised to build 246 new METRONET railcars
- More than $2 billion being spent on regional roads
- 25 major road projects set to get underway soon
- $146 million investment in cycling infrastructure
This Budget marks a major increase in funding for road infrastructure across WA.
The $4.2 billion total investment will fund road infrastructure and maintenance initiatives designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and create jobs.
The Tonkin Highway Transformation Project received $1.2 billion, which will cover:
- 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
- Tonkin Highway extension from Thomas Road to South Western Highway in Mundijong
- $230 million for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge replacement project
- $180 million for the Great Eastern Highway Bypass grade separated interchanges at Roe Highway and Abernethy Road
- $215 million for the 5.6 kilometre extension of Mitchell Freeway from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road in the northern suburbs
- $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 HighwayKalamunda Road interchange
Of the allocated funding, a record $2 billion is to be spent on regional roads to start or complete major projects. These include $852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and $175 million for the Albany Ring Road to divert heavy haulage around the City of Albany.
Among the other projects to receive funding were:
- $310 million for the ongoing construction of Karratha-Tom Price Road
- $87.5 million to upgrade Great Northern Highway from Broome to Kununurra
- $65.7 million for the upgrade and sealing of the remaining 90kmof the Broome-Cape Leveque Road
- $59 million for upgrades to the Ord River-Halls Creek to Warmun section of Great Northern Highway
- $40 million for Coolgardie-Esperance Highway upgrades
- $30 million for further improvements to South Coast Highway between Albany and Jerramungup
- $27.5 million for Stage One Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation
- $275 million for Great Northern Highway – Bindoon Bypass
- $87.5 million for Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Routes upgrades
- $10 million for the new LNG Futures Facility
- $48 million to upgrade port facilities across WA
- An additional $19.5 million for the Forrestdale Business Park
Investing in cycling infrastructure
The State Budget includes over $146 million for cycling projects and grants to expand Western Australia’s cycling network by at least 150km.
- More than $55 million for cycle paths related to major road projects
- Projects underway to close gaps on Mitchell and Kwinana Freeway Principal Shared Paths (PSPs), and along the Fremantle and Midland rail lines
- PSPs will be delivered as part of newly announced road projects, such as the replacement of the Fremantle
- Traffic Bridge and upgrades to Roe Highway and Tonkin Highway
- More than $27 million will be available for the planning, design and construction of local bicycle infrastructure including safe active streets
- $87.5 million for Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Routes upgrades
- $310 million for the upgrade and sealing of the Karratha-Tom Price Road
- $347 million for the continued improvements to Great Northern Highway (Muchea to Wubin)
- $275 million for the construction of the 46km Bindoon Bypass
- $14 million for the duplication of Great Eastern Highway between Anzac Drive and Gatacre Drive in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Preparing METRONET to open in 2021
In addition to road infrastructure, more than $1.2 billion is allocated in the WA Budget for METRONET projects under development.
Major METRONET projects are now underway, with construction set to start on three new METRONET projects in late-2019.
Forrestfield Airport Link
The $1.9 billion project will see first trains operate in the second half of 2021, with new stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and Forrestfield.
Thornlie-Cockburn Link
The $536 million project will extend the Thornlie Line to Cockburn Station, the first stage of a potential Circle Line, with two new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road.
Byford Rail Extension
Planning work is continuing on the project to extend the Armadale Line south to Byford.
Yanchep Rail Extension
The $520 million project will extend the northern suburbs rail line to Yanchep, with three new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.
Midland Station Project
Planning work is continuing on the Midland Station Project including a new train station and line extension to Bellevue
Morley-Ellenbrook Line
Construction is set to start later in 2019 on the new Bayswater Station, the first stage of the MorleyEllenbrook Line. The new rail line will service the north eastern suburbs, with detailed planning finalised later in 2019.
Level Crossing Removal
Construction to remove the Denny Avenue level crossing in Kelmscott will start later in 2019. $207.5 million over the next four years has been allocated to remove level crossings at Oats Street, Mint Street and Welshpool Road.
Planning is underway to investigate options for Wharf Street, Hamilton Street and William Street on the Armadale Line. Further planning work underway to remove the Caledonian Avenue level crossing on the Midland Line.
METRONET Railcar Program
Construction is to start on new Bellevue assembly and manufacturing facility in 2019-20. The $1.6 billion project is expected to deliver 246 new METRONET rail cars over ten years, making this the largest order of railcars in WA’s history.
At least 50 per cent of the manufacturing of new railcars is to be completed in Western Australia.
