Procurement for $1bn Tonkin Hwy Extension & Thomas Rd Upgrade moves to the next stage

Procurement for the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade projects in Western Australia is progressing well with the announcement of shortlisted contractors for the next package of works. 

The shortlisted consortia are now being invited to submit Request for Proposals (RFP) for Package 2, which incorporates the Tonkin Highway extension from Mundijong Road to South Western Highway. 

The shortlist of builders include: 

• Tonkin Connect Alliance – comprised of CPB Contractors, WA Limestone, Carey, Aurecon and Jacobs 

• Tonkin Extension Alliance – comprised of BMD, Georgiou, Civcon, GHD and BG&E 

• Tonkin South Alliance – comprised of Acciona, NRW, AECOM and Arup 

The RFP process asks these shortlisted alliances to submit detailed proposals on how they will design and build the project. The submissions should include pricing and key milestone dates. 

“The Tonkin Highway Extension project will relieve pressure on local roads around Byford, Cardup, Mundijong and Oakford, increasing safety and easing traffic pressure and travel times for the local community. 

“I am proud that we are delivering the infrastructure our community needs to thrive, and I look forward to seeing our fast-growing suburbs better connected to jobs and education opportunities, and our local roads become safer places for our local families,” State Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones said. 

The RFP submission period for Package 1, however, has been closed. This package of works incorporates the Tonkin Highway extension from Thomas Road to Mundijong Road as well as the Thomas Road duplication from Kargotich Road to South Western Highway. 

The shortlisted consortia for Package 1 include: 

• Tonkin Extend Alliance – comprised of Laing O’Rourke, Garli, WSP and Arcadis 

• Tonkin Extension Alliance 

The contracts for Packages 1 and 2 are due to be awarded by late 2024 and both stages will be built at the same time. Construction on the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade projects is anticipated to commence in mid-2025. 

“This vital project will significantly reduce freight traffic along South Western Highway through Byford. 

“Commuters and freight will gain up to five minutes on a trip to Oakford to Mundijong through the provision of an efficient alternative freight route. 

“Critically, the project will provide a non-stop journey eliminating up to four sets of traffic lights between Oakford and Mundijong,” Senator for Western Australia Louise Pratt said. 

The two projects are expected to support about 4,400 direct and indirect jobs during construction. 

More than $1 billion has been allocated towards the two projects, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments – each contributing $749 million and $296 million respectively. 

“The Albanese Government has invested $749 million into this important project, which will improve travel times and connectivity in Perth’s south-west corridor. 

“We have supported the transformation of Tonkin Highway for many years now; it is exciting to see this next stage underway, extending Tonkin Highway 14 kilometres south. 

“As a result, local residents will enjoy safer and quieter communities by attracting heavy traffic away from local roads. 

“They will also be better connected with safe pedestrians and cycling facilities, and new horse crossings,” Acting Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Murray Watt said. 

Scope of works on the Tonkin Highway Extension project 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 grade separation locations (Thomas Road and Bishop Road) 

• • Footbridge overpass at Orton Road 

• • Minor 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 (equine only) and Shanley Road (road, pedestrian, cyclist and equine) 

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

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

The Thomas Road Upgrade will include: 

• Widening and duplicating 4.5 kilometres of Thomas Road between Tonkin Highway and South Western Highway (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 allow traffic to move freely with fewer interruptions 

• 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 including: 

• • Ballak Place: Left-in / left-out only 

• • Hopkins Road (north of Thomas Road): Realign to connect with Kardan Boulevard via a new roundabout at the intersection of Thomas Road 

• • Hopkinson Road (realigned) and Kardan Boulevard 

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

• • Masters 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: Reconstruct to an improved priority-controlled intersection 

“The extension of Tonkin Highway represents the largest investment Perth’s south-east road corridor has ever seen. 

“The project will increase network capacity to ease traffic congestion on local roads now and in the future. 

“It complements the nearby METRONET Byford Rail Extension which is currently under construction, the recently completed METRONET Thomas Road Over Rail, the Thomas Road Safety Improvements between Kwinana Freeway and South Western Highway and aligns with our Westport outer harbour plans in Kwinana. 

“These improvements will provide communities in our south with greater access to our transport network,” Acting Western Australian Transport Minister Sue Ellery said. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Main Roads Western Australia (1, 2)