The Western Australian Government has named the contractor to deliver the Mitchell Freeway southbound upgrades.
H2H, comprising WBHO Infrastructure and NRW Contracting, was named as the preferred proponent to deliver the upgrades.
The works include widening key bottlenecks on Mitchell Freeway and upgrading the Principal Shared Path network for pedestrians and cyclists. A third southbound lane will also be constructed from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue, the only southbound section with less than three lanes.
The upgrades will help bust congestion and improve road safety by reducing stop-start conditions often associated with traffic incidents, particularly in peak periods.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Mitchell Freeway upgrades were part of the Federal Government’s multi-billion investment in infrastructure.
“Upgrading the Mitchell and Kwinana freeways is a high-priority initiative included on Infrastructure Australia’s Infrastructure Priority List, involving introducing smart freeway technology and critical upgrades across Perth’s freeway corridor,” Mr Fletcher said.
“This project will contribute to maintaining an efficient and reliable freeway network for the movement of people and freight, which supports the economic prosperity of Western Australia.”
Cyclists are also set to benefit, with a combination of new and upgraded Principal Shared Paths to provide users with a high-standard route between Ocean Reef Road and Warwick Train Station, with minimal interruptions and better separation from traffic.
Additional upgrades will include concrete barriers adjacent to the rail reserve from Hodges Drive to Reid Highway, safety barriers on the verge from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue, emergency stopping bays and an emergency breakdown lane.
Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning, Rita Saffioti, said the Western Australian Government was continuing to transform Perth’s freeway networks.
“We are creating local jobs and investing in road and rail infrastructure as part of WA’s Recovery Plan from COVID-19,” Ms Saffioti said.
“Combined with the introduction of smart freeways technology, the widening of key bottlenecks on Mitchell Freeway southbound will result in travel time savings averaging up to seven minutes from Hodges Drive to Vincent Street.
“This will benefit the 28,000 vehicles using this section of the freeway during the morning peak periods.
“Combined with travel time savings of up to seven minutes already experienced on the recently completed Cedric to Vincent Street upgrade, northern suburbs residents can expect to save up to 14 minutes on their morning commutes to the CBD.
“It will help bust congestion, alleviating pressure on the road network and improving connections now and into the future.”
Construction is scheduled to begin over the coming months, creating and supporting around 1,000 jobs.
Installing co-ordinated ramp signals and associated smart technologies is also planned from Hester Avenue to Warwick Road, forming the northern part of the Transforming Freeways project.
The Federal and Western Australian Governments are jointly funding the $76 million Mitchell Freeway Widening (Hodges to Hepburn Avenue) project and the $140 million Transforming Freeways – Widen and Introduction of ITS (Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways) project.
