Early works for the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link are being integrated into the current Kwinana Freeway upgrade project to minimise traffic disruption next year.
The integration of METRONET works means traffic management will be in place slightly longer, but will prevent crews from returning once the freeway upgrade is completed.
The new northbound lanes on Kwinana Freeway will now open in stages from early-2020.
The first stage will see the opening of the Collector Distributor Road between Beeliar Drive and Berrigan Drive adjacent to the freeway, which will lead to safer merging and reduce congestion around the Beeliar Drive access point. This opening will closely align with the introduction of a new third and fourth lane from Berrigan Drive to Roe Highway in February.
Once these new sections open, Main Roads will carry out barrier and drainage works on the northbound freeway lanes between Beeliar Drive and Berrigan Drive in preparation for the construction of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link as part of METRONET. During this period, piers for the new Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge will also be installed.
The two northbound freeway lanes will progressively be opened to three lanes as these works are completed. A temporary speed limit of 80km/h will remain in place until the freeway is fully opened in April 2020. At this time, road users will enjoy the complete benefits of the Kwinana Freeway Northbound Widening project, including significant journey time savings.
The project also includes a new five-metre-wide Principal Shared Path (PSP) for pedestrians and cyclists, along with upgraded access points to and from local suburbs.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The McGowan Government is delivering an unprecedented program of congestion relief in Perth's southern suburbs, which also includes a new connection to Murdoch Drive from Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway, the widening of Karel Avenue and the duplication of Armadale Road.
"These transformative projects will lead to significant journey time savings for commuters and people who traverse our suburbs on a daily basis.
"By incorporating the Thornlie-Cockburn Link works into the freeway upgrade, it will save us from coming back late next year with further disruption.
"As each new section of freeway opens and new capacity becomes available, road users will notice a significant improvement in traffic flow. This will be further enhanced in mid-2020 with the opening of Perth's first Smart Freeway, north of Canning Highway."
