Major construction begins on WA Leach Hwy-Welshpool Rd interchange
Western Australia’s $136 million Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange upgrade has marked a new milestone with the beginning of major construction on the congestion-busting project.
Works are being undertaken by the Leach Welshpool Alliance, which is comprised of local contractors Georgiou Group Pty Ltd, BG&E Pty Ltd and Golder Associates Pty Ltd.
“This important upgrade will fix one of WA’s most dangerous intersections, where hundreds of crashes have occurred in recent years.
“This is all part of our plan to support local jobs and the economy through COVID-19, while delivering important upgrades to our transport networks,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
The interchange recorded approximately 224 crashes between 2015 and 2019, including 204 that were rear-end collisions.
This multi-million dollar project will deliver:
- A new bridge taking Leach Highway over Welshpool Road to create a grade-separated interchange
- A new roundabout at the current Leach Highway and Welshpool Road intersection
- A shared path along Leach Highway from Welshpool Road to Orrong Road
The project will also include upgrading the Leach Highway Bridge over rail located south of the interchange.
“This project will provide Perth drivers with a safer and more efficient east-west freight connection, particularly between Fremantle and the industrial areas of Kewdale and Welshpool.
“About 50,000 vehicles pass through this intersection every weekday, with the area servicing key commercial activities in local industrial areas, Perth Airport, Kewdale Freight Terminal and surrounding residential areas.
“This project is one of the many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline,” Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said.
Project alignment (source: Main Roads WA)
The interchange upgrade aims to improve traffic flow ad safety as well as help reduce travel times during peak hours and relieve pressure on local roads. In addition, the project is anticipated to support up to 600 jobs.
The leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, each contributing $68 million.
“These upgrades will improve safety, ease congestion, encourage better flow of traffic as well as saving commuters travel times during peak hour,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.
“These works are a part of the ongoing commitment by the Morrison Government to the recovery of our economy and to get people home safer and sooner with funding for congestion busting infrastructure,” Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons MP said.
Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Main Roads WA
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