WA Govt allocates $113.4m to fix congestion hot spots in Perth's northern suburbs

In the 2025-26 State Budget, the Western Australian Government is allocating $113.4 million towards a range of works to relieve congestion at some of the worst hot spots in Perth’s northern suburbs. 

This significant investment is headlined by an initial $70 million funding for a new grade-separated intersection at Erindale Road and Reid Highway. 

Construction of the grade-separated interchange is due to begin in 2028-29, with the State Government to allocate a total of $225 million towards the project and the Australian Government to match it with a $225 million contribution. 

The Erindale Road and Reid Highway intersection is rated as the worst in Western Australia for congestion, costing the State economy $21.3 million in 2023-24, with the number of vehicles travelling through the intersection each day increasing by about 10 per cent since 2019. Daily traffic volumes are projected to increase from 60,000 to 111,000 by 2054. 

Reid Highway is a critical east-west corridor for the northern suburbs, and the interchange at Erindale Road is the last at-grade intersection between Mitchell Freeway and Tonkin Highway. 

“This Budget is about setting our State up for the future by delivering on the commitments we made to the people of Western Australia. 

“The Reid Highway and Erindale Road intersection is the worst in the State and causes not only major frustration for drivers but costs our economy more than $21 million every year in lost productivity. 

“We recognise that improving our road network and busting congestion is important to Western Australians and important to the productivity of our economy. 

“Right across Perth’s north, we’re investing in key projects that will improve the road network and make it safer and more efficient for everyone to get around,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

The investment for Perth’s northern suburbs also includes a $35.9 million program of works to deliver several intersection improvements along Wanneroo Road, including: 

• Warwick Road – additional right turn lane on Wanneroo Road, left turn lane modifications on Wanneroo Road, and turn lane extensions 

• Hepburn Avenue – widening the median of Hepburn Avenue to enable a double right turn. Median widening on Wanneroo Road to enable double right turn from Wanneroo Road northbound to Hepburn Avenue westbound 

• Gnangara Road – advanced detector loops to improve queue detection and signal optimisation 

• East Road – realigning Wanneroo Road southbound carriageway further to the west, to bring forward to the give way line on East Road to improve sight lines 

• Whitford Avenue to Gnangara Road connection – planning to complete concept design work for the future Whitfords Avenue-Wanneroo Road-Gnangara Road interchange 

The Budget will also allocate funds for intersection upgrades in Morely and Craigie, including: 

• $4 million to fix the McGilvray Avenue and Morley Drive intersection with improved road layout 

• A contribution of $3.5 million to build a roundabout at the intersection of Craigie Leisure Centre and Whitfords Avenue and creating a new access road into Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park with delivery by the City of Joondalup 

“This major $100 million investment will target some of the worst congestion hot spots across our northern suburbs. 

“It is just one of many major commitments in the upcoming 2025-26 State Budget that will help improve and transform our roads. 

“WA is a rapidly growing State but my government’s prudent financial management means we are able to deliver on these commitments. 

“We will never stop working to ensure Western Australians have access to the infrastructure we need,” Premier Roger Cook said. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Roads & Infrastructure Australia