A major new road infrastructure project, which will create an estimated 4,400 jobs for Western Australians, is now underway.
The more than $1 billion Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade is one of the biggest road transport infrastructure investments ever delivered in Perth's south-east corridor.
The project will deliver a 14-kilometre extension of Tonkin Highway from Thomas Road to South Western Highway and duplicate 4.5 kilometres of Thomas Road.
The project will significantly improve road safety, reduce congestion and strengthen freight efficiency for one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
Once completed in late 2028, the project will:
Provide safer and more efficient journeys for more than 60,000 vehicles expected to use the corridor daily.
Remove thousands of heavy vehicles off local roads, reducing pressure on communities in Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott and Gosnells.
Deliver new grade-separated interchanges, underpasses and roundabouts to improve traffic flow and safety.
Introduce new shared paths for cyclists and pedestrians along the entire extension, and equine crossings designed in consultation with local users.
- Complement the METRONET Byford Rail Extension, due to open on October 13 2025, ensuring balanced transport choices for the region.
The project will provide a significant injection to the local economy, delivering thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while also creating opportunities for local suppliers, contractors and First Nations businesses.
With early works including site establishment and traffic realignments underway, today's event marks the transition into major construction with large-scale earthworks, bridge structures and interchange building set to ramp up over the coming months.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments.
