The Western Australian Government has announced the preferred proponent to deliver the Leach Highway and Welshpool Road intersection.
An alliance of local Western Australian companies, named the Leach Welshpool Alliance, was named the preferred proponent for the project.
The Leach Welshpool Alliance consists of local companies BG&E, Georgiou Group, and Golder Associates.
The $93 million upgrade will create 600 local jobs.
The interchange upgrade has been designed to improve the most dangerous and second most congested intersection in Western Australia, with 224 crashes recorded between 2015 and 2019, of which 204 were rear-end collisions.
The final contract is expected to be awarded in December 2020, and has been fast-tracked six months ahead of schedule.
Early works are expected to commence by the end of 2020.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said the Federal Government had prioritised infrastructure investment and construction across Western Australia to support local jobs through COVID-19.
“We’re creating hundreds of jobs with this upgrade alone at a time when hard-working West Australians need it most,” Mr Tudge said.
“At the same time, this is a targeted infrastructure investment that will bust congestion and improve safety at what is a notorious intersection.
“Building a grade separated interchange will significantly reduce congestion and improve vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian safety at this critical junction in Perth’s major transport network.”
The project scope includes:
- A new bridge taking Leach Highway over Welshpool Road to create a grade-separated interchange
- Duplicating the existing Leach Highway bridge over the railway
- A shared path along Leach Highway from Sevenoaks Street to Orrong Road
Western Australian Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said this was just one of the major infrastructure projects the State Government had fast-tracked as part of the road out of COVID-19.
“It’s fantastic to see an alliance of local companies named as the preferred proponent to deliver this job-creating, congestion busting project,” Ms Saffioti said.
“Construction on this interchange will create and support 600 local jobs, while also significantly improving safety and efficiency for commuters.
“At least 50,000 vehicles pass through this intersection every weekday, with the area servicing key commercial activities in the Welshpool commercial area, Perth Airport, Kewdale Freight Terminal and surrounding residential areas.
“Combined with our level crossing removals along the Armadale Line this will completely transform this transport corridor.”
Federal Member for Swan, Steve Irons, said the congestion-busting project would provide better connections to a major industrial area while improving safety and reducing delays.
“There were 224 crashes reported between 2014 and 2019, these upgrades will create a safer intersection whilst supporting local jobs,” Mr Irons said.
“This is one of 24 Western Australian Transport projects being fast-tracked to support local jobs during COVID-19.”
This project has been jointly-funded by the Australian ($46.5 million) and State ($46.5 million) Governments.
