Construction work has officially been completed on the Tonkin Highway Gap project in the state of Western Australia (WA).
It is said to now offer enhanced journey times and amenities to commuters, cyclists, and the local community.
The Tonkin Gap Alliance, which includes BMD, Georgiou Group, WA Limestone, BG&E, and GHD, collaborated with the country's Main Roads and the Public Transport Authority to design and deliver the project.
The project is said to have been completed on time. Construction started in 2020.
It is said to have faced challenges such as working under live traffic, replacing Broun Avenue Bridge, and duplicating Redcliffe Bridge with minimal impact on Swan River ecosystems.
Last December marked a milestone for the Tonkin Highway as additional lanes were opened and the speed limit was reinstated to 100km/h, easing a bottleneck.
The project also includes 3.1km of new and upgraded principal shared path (PSP) between Wattle Grove and Morley, allowing for an uninterrupted journey from Mandurah to Muchea.
The PSP between Premier Place and Marshall Road in Ballajura is now open, further enhancing the network.
The project also introduced new interchanges at Great Eastern Highway and Guildford Road, as well as new bridges over the Swan River, Dunstone Road, Railway Parade, and Guildford Road.
Rail-enabling works for the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line are nearing completion, with the speed limit on the Tonkin Highway between Reid Highway and Collier Road also restored to 100km/h.
The final section of the Tonkin Highway between Hepburn Avenue and Reid Highway will soon follow.
The reinstatement of the 100km/h speed limit in both directions is expected after the completion of Malaga footbridge works next month.
The project's supply chain has engaged more than 250 subcontractors, focusing on local spending and supply, which has resulted in the creation of more than 3,000 jobs.
WA Swan federal member Zaneta Mascarenhas said: “The Tonkin Gap project shows that both the Australian and WA governments are seriously committed to improving transport for drivers around Perth.
“This investment is all about making roads safer, separating pedestrians and cyclists from cars, and giving commuters in this booming area the infrastructure they need.”
