The Western Australian (WA) Government has awarded the contract for the A$700m ($490m) upgrade of Perth's Kwinana Freeway to a consortium comprising CPB Contractors, Jacobs Group and others.
The consortium also includes McConnell Dowell Constructors and Arup Australia Projects.
Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2027, subject to environmental and heritage approvals.
The works will cover more than 29km of the Kwinana Freeway corridor between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road.
The upgrades are designed to alleviate congestion and enhance safety on a route currently used by approximately 100,000 vehicles each typical weekday, with regular congestion during peak hours.
Key components of the planned upgrade include the widening of a 11km section between Russell Road and Mortimer Road, with the addition of a third lane in both directions along this stretch.
A new southbound lane will be created from Roe Highway to Berrigan Drive, and a new northbound lane will extend from Russell Road to Beeliar Drive.
The project also entails installing coordinated signals on 11 northbound ramps, establishing 42km of continuous “smart freeway” operations stretching from Safety Bay Road to the Narrows Bridge.
Further improvements will target the installation or upgrading of median and verge barriers, road surfacing, drainage, and the addition of new or improved noise barriers.
The upgrade will also enhance shared-path connections for pedestrians and cyclists.
Detailed design work for key sections is scheduled to commence in the second half of this year and continue through 2026.
Major construction is planned to begin once approvals are complete, with project completion targeted for mid-2029 and several newly widened sections expected to open by late 2028.
The initiative is jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Labor governments.
The WA government estimates the project will support up to 4,180 jobs during its construction phase.
WA Premier Roger Cook said: “Delivering the Kwinana Freeway widening project is another example of my WA Labor Government putting WA first.
“As one of Perth's busiest roads, we know that once complete this project will have a big impact on the thousands of drivers who use the Kwinana Freeway to get to school, work and home.
“Working with the Albanese Labor Government, we are delivering quality infrastructure across our State to support a high quality of life for all Western Australians.”
