WA Perth's Thomas Road set for $100m worth of upgrades

A series of upgrade works are now underway to transform Thomas Road in the south eastern suburbs of Perth. In addition, the Australian and Western Australian Governments are allocating more than $100 million for these upgrades that will improve safety and efficiency. 

“My Government’s number one priority has always been local jobs and this transformation of Thomas Road will provide numerous employment opportunities as well as benefits to local businesses, supporting our economy through COVID-19. 

“The population of Byford is set to boom over the coming decade and it’s important we properly plan for that growth with the infrastructure for tomorrow,” Premier Mark McGowan said. 

From the significant funding, $30 million has been allocated to deliver upgrades at the intersection of Thomas Road and Kargotich Road in Oakford. This upgrade was originally planned as a single-lane roundabout with $3 million in funding from the Black Spots Program. 

The additional investment will provide an extra $6 million in funding for the project, which will now deliver a dual lane roundabout. Works on this upgrade is set to begin next year. 

The remaining funds will be utilised to deliver a series of safety improvements to help reduce the chance of crashes. This includes $5 million to install street lighting and low-cost shoulder widening works on Thomas Road between Cumming Road and Tonkin Highway. 

“Our community has put up with thousands of daily commuters and heavy trucks travelling on what are often basically country roads. This isn’t safe and it has led to many accidents. 

“I’m very pleased to see this investment into our region by the Commonwealth Government begin to enter the construction phase. The Thomas Road upgrades – particularly to the Kargotich and Nicholson Road intersections – will make our community much safer,” Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie said. 

Upgrades will be delivered at the Thomas Road and Nicholson Road intersection as well, with works to include the installation of a new two-lane roundabout to improve safety and efficiency for the thousands of vehicles that pass through this route each day. 

“The Morrison Government has prioritised critical infrastructure and that also means jobs for hard working West Australians. 

“Along with the Tonkin Highway Extension and Byford Rail Extension, it will also mean more jobs and greater economic opportunity in our region,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said. 

Early works have also commenced to build a new road bridge over the existing rail corridor at Thomas Road. This is the first level crossing to be removed between Armadale and Byford as part of METRONET’s Byford Rail Extension project. 

Thomas Road bridge over rail (source: Main Roads WA)

The new road over rail bridge will have two lanes in each direction and it will facilitate the extension of the Armadale Line by approximately eight kilometres to Byford. 

The $52 million level crossing removal project has been fast-tracked to aid in the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19, with construction due to be completed by the end of 2022. 

“These upgrades will completely transform the area and improve safety and efficiency for the thousands of drivers who use Thomas Road every day. 

“The removal of the Thomas Road level crossing is the first step in the Byford Rail Extension which will give people in Byford better connections to work, school and fun,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

Planning for the delivery of a dual carriageway on a one-kilometre stretch of Thomas Road east of Kwinana Freeway is also progressing, with works expected to commence in late 2021. 

In addition to the $100 million funding investment, over $500 million has been allocated for the Tonkin Highway Extension from Thomas Road in Oakford to South Western Highway located south east of Mundijong. 

Extending Tonkin Highway will help improve access to growing residential areas, industry as well as the airport and the freeway. Project planning and development is currently underway and construction is set to commence in late 2021, subject to environmental and statutory approvals. 

Earlier this year, safety improvement works were completed on a 4.3-kilometre section on Thomas Road between Kwinana Freeway and Cumming Road in Anketell. Works included shoulder widening and resurfacing as well as installation of new line markings and raised pavement markers. 

Road planning is also being undertaken to help develop the possible long-term future of the Thomas and Anketell Road freight corridor, from the proposed Kwinana Outer Harbour site to Tonkin Highway. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements (1, 2); Main Roads Western Australia (1, 2); Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; 97.3 Coast Live