The bulldozers have roared into action as construction starts today on the $86 million Roe Highway and Kalamunda Road interchange.
Part of a program of congestion busting relief in Perth's eastern suburbs, the interchange will also dramatically improve safety for almost 60,000 vehicles that pass through it each day.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the project would make life easier for thousands of drivers.
"It will improve traffic flow and speed up travel times, particularly for freight operators travelling on the Roe Highway, which is a key strategic route across Perth's eastern suburbs," Mr Tudge said.
"Of the almost 60,000 vehicles passing through this intersection each day 14 per cent are heavy vehicles, and the upgrade will make this route safer and easier to navigate."
The project forms part of the Morrison Government's $13.5 billion investment in road and rail infrastructure in Western Australia, aimed at boosting jobs and busting congestion.
Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the road improvement program in Perth's eastern suburbs was gathering pace, with NorthLink and New Lord Street close to completion and the Reid Highway Dual Carriageway project underway.
"This project will address congestion and improve journey times through one of the last remaining signalised intersections on Roe Highway," Ms Saffioti said.
"This will be closely followed by the now fully funded interchange at the intersection of Great Eastern Highway Bypass, which is currently undergoing project development.
"Together, these important road upgrades will also complement the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook rail line, which will connect some of our fastest-growing suburbs with Perth and the rest of our rail network."
Federal Member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt said the upgrade would also make the intersection safer.
"Eliminating the traffic signals will mean reduced risk of collisions as well as better traffic flow through the area," Mr Wyatt said.
"Replacing the current intersection, which is heavily congested and has a higher than average number of crashes, with a new, safer interchange will make a big difference for all those travelling along this road.
"The project will lower Roe Highway by approximately nine metres to pass beneath Kalamunda Road, minimising noise and visual intrusion for residents in the surrounding area."
Connections between the two roads will be retained through two roundabouts on Kalamunda Road as well as on- and off-ramps to the highway.
It will also be safer for cyclists and pedestrians thanks to a shared path on the highway's eastern side, with local links provided.
Following an additional WA Government funding commitment in March 2019, this path will extend to Berkshire Road, completing a missing link in the shared path network along Roe Highway.
Construction will ramp up over the coming months, with bridge-building activity to begin in the New Year.
New drainage, street lighting and other supplementary works will complete the interchange. Project completion is scheduled for early 2021.
Although some clearing of non-native vegetation is required for the project, Main Roads Western Australia has amended the road geometry on Kalamunda Road to retain a large jarrah tree, estimated to be over 250 years old. Upon completion of the project, the tree will be located in the road median for the appreciation of current and future generations.
The $86 million project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $68.8 million and the Western Australian Government $17.2 million.
