Expressions of Interest for Tonkin Hwy interchanges project now underway

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the transformation of the Tonkin Highway in Western Australia has been released to market and contractors are encouraged to tender for the first package of works for this project. 

The $366 million Tonkin Highway Upgrade from Roe Highway to Kelvin Road is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, each contributing $293 million and $73 million respectively. 

“Our Government is busy at work delivering on what WA needs for the future. 

“Right across the State we’re investing in roads and infrastructure which will improve travel times and safety, and Tonkin Highway will be an important addition to that suite of upgrades. 

“It will also create thousands of jobs in the local community and unlock training opportunities for Western Australians wanting to obtain new skills,” Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The project is going to be delivered through two separate work contracts, namely: 

• Contract 1 – Hale Road to Welshpool Road: Interchanges at Hale Road (partial connection with north-facing ramps) and Welshpool Road East (full connections), including widening of Tonkin Highway 

• Contract 2 – Kelvin Road: Interchange at Kelvin Road (full connections) and the balance of Tonkin Highway widening 

The current EOI is for Contract 1, while Contract 2 is still under development and will be delivered in the future following environmental approvals. 

The first Design and Construct Contract is expected to be awarded in mid-2025, with major construction activities to begin in late 2025. 

“I’ve been advocating for years on behalf of our community to make Tonkin Highway faster and safer, and I’m glad the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are working together on this important project for Perth’s South Eastern suburbs, 

“The congestion on Tonkin Highway has been increasing for years, these upgrades will make a massive difference for our growing community. I can’t wait to see works get underway. 

“Only Labor is making the infrastructure investments we need to build a better Burt,” Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh said. 

Tonkin Highway is a key transport corridor that connects the city’s industrial centres such as international ports, airports, intermodal rail freight terminals and major industrial lands. Over 50,000 vehicles use this section of the highway each day, with about 13 per cent being heavy vehicles. 

By 2031, Tonkin Highway is projected to have the fifth highest ‘delay cost’ of all major road corridors in the State due to increasing travel demand and congestion. 

“People in my community are heavily impacted by the congestion build up along this section of Tonkin Highway, which is why it’s critical we take action to make travel on this road smoother and safer for all. 

“Whilst these changes will significantly improve this section of Tonkin Highway, they will cause some disruption from mid-2025, so we will be engaging closely with the community to inform them about likely impacts,” State Member for Forrestfield Stephen Price said. 

Scope of works on the Tokin Highway Upgrade from Roe Highway to Kelvin Road include: 

• Widening Tonkin Highway from four to six lanes from south of Roe Highway to Kelvin Road 

• Grade separation (Tonkin Highway travelling over intersections) at: 

• Tonkin Highway / Welshpool Road – connections to and from Tonkin Highway north and south 

• Tonkin Highway / Hale Road – partial connection with north-facing ramps (to and from the airport and Perth) 

• Tonkin Highway / Kelvin Road – connections to and from Tonkin Highway north and south 

• Median and verge barriers 

• Principal Shared Path connecting to existing paths north on Tonkin Highway, including underpasses at ramps at the new intersections 

• Lighting and noise walls 

• Local urban design and landscaping opportunities 

This project is expected to support approximately 2,500 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase. 

“The Tonkin Highway Interchanges project forms part of our broader Tonkin Highway Transformation program, to support long-term transport and infrastructure planning along Perth’s eastern road corridor. 

“This stretch of Tonkin Highway is a notorious bottleneck, particularly the intersection with Welshpoo; Road which regularly rates as one of the worst for congestion. 

“Tonkin Highway is a major freight route in Perth metropolitan region, but with significant congestion, our Government is taking action to make this road smoother, safer and more efficient. 

“This project will complement the Tonkin Gap Project, which recently reached completion, and is providing commuters with faster travel times and a safer journey. 

“This important upgrade project will improve safety and the movement of freight and people by creating free-flowing traffic conditions,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

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