Our Operational Performance

$15 million on-ramp cuts 4 kms off the route

Road Efficiency

Case Study

Gateway WA: Stage One Underway

In February 2013, Western Australia’s Transport Minister Troy Buswell and Federal Minister Anthony Albanese turned the sod on the first stage of the $1 billion Gateway WA Perth Airport and Freight Access Project. This marked the start of construction of the Abernethy Road-Tonkin Highway on-ramp which will provide immediate significant benefits for the freight industry.

This area is arguably our most important transport interchange where road, rail and air services meet to facilitate the movement of people and goods essential to the economy of the State and the nation.

The Abernethy Road-Tonkin Highway on-ramp is the first in a series of road upgrades in the Kewdale and Forrestfield industrial areas required to meet an expected doubling in freight movements between now and 2031. The $15 million on-ramp will provide a direct link for road users to the regional network via Tonkin Highway southbound for the first time. This will cut almost 4 kilometres off the current route thereby reducing travel times and costs for freight providers.

Construction will continue on the full Gateway WA program of works with project completion expected in early 2017. The main project works will focus on the construction of several major interchanges on Tonkin Highway, between Great Eastern Highway and Roe Highway, and Leach Highway, between Orrong Road and Perth Airport.

In addition to assisting the freight industry, the project will cater for expected increases in air passenger travel and Perth Airport’s plans for domestic and international airport terminal consolidation. Assessed as a National Priority Project, Federal and State Government contributions of $686 million and $318 million respectively have been made in recognition of the economic importance of this strategic transport hub that connects road, rail and air nationally and within Western Australia.

The project is being undertaken by an alliance contract and agreement on the target price was a significant milestone for the project which was reached between Main Roads and the Gateway WA alliance in July 2013.