$9.1b announced in WA State Budget for infrastructure

The Western Australian 2021-2022 State Budget has been released, detailing major investments in infrastructure, road and METRONET projects over the next four years.

The State Government is delivering $11.7 billion for major road projects, upgrades and maintenance throughout the state over the next four years.

 Major projects funded that are under construction include:

• Tonkin Gap works, supporting 1,050 jobs, as part of the $1.39 billion Tonkin Corridor Upgrades
• $320 million for the Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges, with works to commence later this year
• $232 million for the Mitchell Freeway Extension (Hester Avenue to Romeo Road)
• $76 million for the Mitchell Freeway widening southbound from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue
• $140 million for transforming freeways through the Mitchell Freeway corridor;
• $138.6 million for the Stephenson Avenue extension
• $259 million for the Armadale Road Bridge – North Lake Road Flyover
• $852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road
• $175 million for the Albany Ring Road
• $98 million for upgrades to Great Northern Highway at Ord River in the Kimberley
• $36 million for Port Hedland Airport deviation
• $52 million for Coolgardie Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks  

Funding has also been allocated to projects under procurement or in planning, including:

• $49.8 million for the Causeway Cyclist and Pedestrian Bridge over the Swan River as part of the Perth City Deal
• $230 million for the Swan River Crossings Project, to replace the outdated Fremantle Traffic Bridge
• $225 million to prepare for the construction of grade separated interchanges on Reid Highway at Altone Road, Daviot Road and Drumpellier Drive
• $110 million to prepare for the duplication of the Mandurah Estuary Bridge
• $27.5 million for construction of Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation
• $120 million to upgrade and seal 100 kilometres of Marble Bar Road
• $380 million to construct and seal Manuwarra Red Dog Highway Stage 4
• $250 million for upgrades to Great Eastern Highway at Coates Gully, between Walgoolan to Southern Cross, and between Ghooli to Benari
• $55 million to upgrade Indian Ocean Drive between Jurien Bay and Brand Highway

Funding has been allocated for the following programs over 2021-22 and forward estimates:

• $16 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program in Perth and Peel
• $104 million for the Resealing Program in Perth and Peel

Cycling and pedestrian infrastructure upgrades

$265 million has been allocated over the next four years to upgrade cycling and pedestrian infrastructure throughout Western Australia, including:

• $105.6 million to deliver active transport infrastructure for major projects, including the replacement of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the Tonkin Highway extension
• $64 million for the Principal Shared Path Expansion Program including the completion of the Fremantle Principal Shared Path and Kwinana Freeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Path
• $16.7 million to deliver priority projects including Railway Avenue in Kelmscott, expand the Hillarys Cycle Network, the Koondoola-Wanneroo Bike Plan, Gnangara Shared Path, Rosedale Road Shared Path, the expansion of the Geraldton Cycling Network, and the Soldiers Road Principal Shared Path in Byford

Major road projects funded

The government is delivering $4.5 billion for major road projects and programs. Major projects funded and under construction include:

• $852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road
• $175 million for the Albany Ring Road
• $98 million for upgrades to Great Northern Highway at Ord River in the Kimberley
• $36 million for Port Hedland Airport deviation
• $52 million for Coolgardie Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks

There is additional funding for projects currently in procurement or planning, including:

• $120 million to upgrade and seal 100 kilometres of Marble Bar Road
• $380 million to construct and seal Manuwarra Red Dog Highway Stage 4
• $250 million for upgrades to Great Eastern Highway at Coates Gully, between Walgoolan to Southern Cross, and between Ghooli to Benari
• $55 million to upgrade Indian Ocean Drive between Jurien Bay and Brand Highway

The jointly funded Regional Road Safety Program continues and will see $217 million spent during 2021-22 to seal shoulders and install audible edge lining over 3,300km of roads. A further $194 million has been allocated to continue this program in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

 This is in addition to the $258 million invested to upgrade almost 4,300km of roads over the past year. $145 million has also been allocated to the Safer Roads and Bridges Program in regional Western Australia, with an additional $193 million invested in the Resealing Program.

METRONET program allocated funding 

The state will continue to deliver its METRONET program, with more than $5.7 billion allocated over the next four years to deliver a number of major job-creating projects.

 The first METRONET project was recently completed with the opening of the Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in June. The local railcar construction and building program is underway at Bellevue with $206.9 million to be spent in 2021‑22.

 Funding in 2021-22 for METRONET projects nearing completion includes:

• $353.5 million for the Forrestfield-Airport Link, due for completion in the first half of 2022
• $15 million for the Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal, with the level crossing removed in April and associated water main and roadworks to be completed later this year
• $14.5 million for the Mandurah Station Multi-Storey Car Park, also to be completed later this year

The budget includes funding for other major METRONET projects under construction, including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line; the Thornlie-Cockburn Link; the Yanchep Rail Extension; the new Bayswater Station project; the new Lakelands Station; and the Thomas Road Bridge, as part of the Byford Rail Extension.

Funding in 2021-22 for METRONET projects under procurement includes:

• The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal
• The Byford Rail Extension
• The High Capacity Signalling program

The Budget has also allocated $44 million across the forward estimates for one new METRONET project and two planning studies:

• $38 million to deliver a 700 bay multi‑storey car park at Greenwood Station, a key McGowan Government commitment at the 2021 State Election
• $6 million to undertake a North East Rapid Transit feasibility study to look at future links between the East Wanneroo corridor and the Perth CBD, and complete an overarching land use and transport plan for Wanneroo Road between Beach Road and Green Street

Significant investments in regional Western Australia 

An additional $15 million has also been allocated across the forward estimates towards upgrading key roads in Maylands to support the closure of the Caledonian Avenue level crossing in the first half of 2022.

Significant investments will be made in regional Western Australia with a record $9.1 billion investment in infrastructure, $4.2 billion for Royalties for Regions and billions more to deliver services such as health, education, TAFE and police.

 The Budget includes $627 million of regional election commitments and other new initiatives, with billions more through the delivery of services around the state.

 The Budget delivers a strong surplus which enables the Western Australia Government to invest in major initiatives for all Western Australians.

 It includes ongoing support for vital services across regional Western Australia, including $463 million for regional school bus services, and $2 billion to subsidise regional electricity and water costs to keep charges in line with the metropolitan area.

 There is also $200 million to improve Western Australia’s agricultural supply chain in the Wheatbelt, Mid-West, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions with major freight network transport upgrades.