Contract awarded for $1bn Tonkin Hwy Extension & Thomas Rd Upgrade

The job-creating $1 billion Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade Project in Western Australia has reached a major milestone with the contract to deliver the project awarded to Tonkin Extension Alliance. 

The consortium is comprised of BMD, Civcon Civil and Project Management, Georgiou Group, BG&E, and GHD. 

Construction is due to begin in mid-2025, project completion anticipated by late-2028. This billion-dollar project will provide a significant boost to the local economy through the creation of approximately 4,400 direct and indirect jobs. 

“The Australian Government is proud to partner with the Western Australian Government to deliver this transformative project, which will significantly enhance Perth’s south-east by reducing traffic pressure and improving connectivity. 

“This project will deliver significant benefits to Western Australia’s freight and logistics network, by creating a high-standard north-south transport link, improving road safety, freight efficiency, and connectivity for residents, businesses, and commuters. 

“The project is part of a broader investment to the Tonkin Highway that will deliver a high-standard north-south transport link, including key upgrades such as the Tonkin Highway Gap,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

“The Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade project will ease traffic pressure on local roads, making them safer and reducing travel times for our community. 

“This project will better connect our fast-growing suburbs to jobs and education opportunities while improving safety for local families,” State Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones said. 

The Tonkin Highway Extension will include: 

• A 14-kilometre extension of Tonkin Highway from Thomas Road to South Western Highway as a four-lane dual carriageway 

• Principal Shared Path (PSP) on the eastern side of the Tonkin Highway extension for the full 14-kilometre length, including connections to Thomas Road, Orton Road, Bishop Road, Mundijong Road and South Western Highway 

• • Five underpasses at two grade separated locations (Thomas Road and Bishop Road) 

• • Footbridge overpass at Orton Road (east of the highway alignment) 

• • Local road connections (Copper Road and Adamson Street) 

• Grade separated interchange at Bishop Road 

• Roundabouts on Tonkin Highway at Orton Road, Mundijong Road and South Western Highway 

• Underpasses at Abernethy Road (road, pedestrian, cyclist and equine), Gossage Road (pedestrian, cyclist and equine) and Shanley Road (road, pedestrian, cyclist and equine) 

• Roundabouts at Hopkinson Road/Abernethy Road, and Shanley Road/Jarrahdale Road/South Western Highway 

• Bridges over rail at Bishop Road (as part of interchange over the freight rail) and Wright Road (over road and rail) 

• Noise and amenity (visual screening) walls 

• Lighting for the main roads and the PSP throughout the project 

• Access and connectivity improvements to local roads including fire and emergency agress where required 

Once completed, Tonkin Highway will be a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction with a posted speed of 100km/h between intersections. 

“Our Government understands the critical importance of transport infrastructure projects – they create thousands of jobs, deliver significant economic benefits to local businesses and communities, and ensure our transport network can meet the needs of our growing population. 

“The extension of Tokin Highway will be a game-changer for the movement of freight to and from the South West and Wheatbelt, and provide a safer road network for people living in suburbs like Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott and Gosnells who currently contend with large volumes of heavy vehicles on local roads. 

“This extension complements METRONET’s Byford Rail Extension and other safety improvements in the area, ensuring better access to our transport network for communities in the south,” WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said. 

Project map (source: Main Road Western Australia)

On the other hand, the Thomas Road Upgrade will complement the Tonkin Highway Extension project, and it will include: 

• Widening and duplicating 4.5 kilometres of Thomas Road between Kargotich Road and South Western Highway (the section from Thomas Road over Rail to South Western Highway has already been upgraded as part of the METRONET Project) 

• Construction of a new grade separated interchange at Thomas Road and TOnkin Highway. This will now allow traffic to move freely on Tonkin Highway and proved improved capacity for Thomas Road traffic 

• Construction of 4.5 kilometres of new shared path on the south side of Thomas Road 

• Provision of a new signalised equine crossing to connect Byford and Darling Downs bridle paths 

• Local intersection upgrades and changes including: 

• • Ballak Place – Left in left out only. Improvement to include left turn deceleration lane 

• • Hopkinson Road (north of Thomas Road) – Cul de sac 

• • Kardan Boulevard – New roundabout 

• • Hopkinson Road (south of Thomas Road) – Cul de sac 

• • Masters Road / Malarkey Road – New roundabout 

• • Briggs Road – Left in left out access only 

• • Plaistowe Boulevard – New traffic signals to improve access for general traffic and buses 

• • Wungong South Road – Reconstruction to an improved priority-controlled intersection 

• Equine path network north of Thomas Road – realigned to maintain connectivity and accommodate road widening 

• Amenity (visual screening) walls and noise barriers 

• Lighting for the length of Thomas Road upgrades 

Upon completion, the upgraded Thomas Road will be dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction with a posted speed of 70km/h. 

The $755 million Tonkin Highway Extension is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, each contributing $604 million and $151 million respectively. Meanwhile, $290 million has been allocated to the Thomas Road Upgrade project. 

“This $1 billion project is a great example of the Albanese Government working in partnership with the Cook WA Labor Government to make the journeys of people in our south-eastern corridor faster and safer. 

“We have seen incredible growth through the suburb of Byford and that means every day you’re getting more and more interaction between local traffic and trucks. 

“Extending Tonkin Highway will get trucks off South Western Highway, which will support this rapidly growing area, giving this community the roads they deserve. 

“This will make a huge difference to everyday life – whether it’s dropping the kids at school or going up to the city, this is a game changing project for the south-eastern suburbs,” Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Main Roads Western Australia; Road & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine