NorthLink WA is the state’s largest ever road project and will provide a state-of-the-art transport link between Morley and Muchea. It will reduce travel times and congestion and provide significant productivity benefits to the economy, industry, motorists and local communities. The project is an important part of the Transport @ 3.5 Million Plan which sets the vision for a generational change to Perth and Peel's transport network. The project will be constructed in three sections, known as:
- Southern Section, Guildford Road to Reid Highway
- Central Section, Reid Highway to Ellenbrook
- Northern Section, Ellenbrook to Muchea.
Significant progress has been made with contracts now awarded for all sections of the project. Work is well advanced on the southern section, whilst the Minister for Transport announced works commenced on the central section in June. Design work will begin on the northern section in the second half of 2017.
Overall the project will see Tonkin Highway upgraded to freeway standard between Collier Road and Reid Highway and a new 37-kilometre highway built between the Tonkin Highway and Reid Highway interchange and Muchea.
Stakeholder engagement has been a key focus in determining community benefits through the development phase, and is continuing during construction to minimise impacts on communities.
Commuters, tourists, freight and other road users travelling between Perth and the state’s north currently use the Great Northern Highway. Traffic volumes on the highway are increasing, but there is limited opportunity for further upgrades. NorthLink WA will take the pressure off the Great Northern Highway by providing a new route for around 80 per cent of heavy vehicles.
Once complete, road users will enjoy a non-stop transport route between Morley and Muchea with improved journey times and productivity. For nearby communities, congestion on local roads will reduce as road users move to the better free-flowing route offered by this project improving community amenity.
In addition, four of our 15 most dangerous intersections will be replaced by state-of-the-art interchanges, including a freeway-to-freeway interchange at Tonkin and Reid highways. Throughout the length of the project a four-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle path will provide alternative transport for communities from the south, east and west to the north. This is an exciting and fast-moving project. For up-to-date information or to see a visualisation of what the result will be, visit our project webpage.
