Infrastructure: Perth Freight Link a boost for WA industry
Perth’s freight network is set to be transformed with a $1.6billion Perth Freight Link to connect Fremantle Port with Kewdale and beyond, jointly funded between the Australian and WA Governments.
Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs, Finance Minister Matthias Cormann and WA Transport Minister Dean Nalder today met to begin planning and prioritising the project.
Mr Briggs said the Australian Government had committed $925million to the Perth Freight Link, which was expected to remove 65,000 vehicles from the local road network daily.
“Together with our existing road project investment in this vicinity, including Gateway WA and NorthLink WA which captures both works on the Great Northern Highway and Tonkin Highway grade separation, the Perth Freight Link will complete the key strategic link in Perth’s road freight network,” Mr Briggs said.
WA Transport Minster Dean Nalder said the project would include a 5km four-lane dual carriageway extension of the Roe Highway, from its existing terminus at the Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road in Coolbellup and improvements to Stock Road and High Street.
“Some works on the Perth Freight Link project will start mid this year, with tenders for the main works on the Roe Highway extension and Stock Road improvements scheduled for mid-2015,” Mr Nalder said.
“It is expected the Perth Freight Link will be open to traffic by the end of the decade. When combined with the current $1billion Gateway project, this road infrastructure will provide great efficiencies for industry, and ultimately boost the WA economy.”
Fact File
- $1.6billion project to connect Perth’s freight network, including
- $925million from the Australian Government, remainder from the WA Government in partnership with a private sector co-contributor
- Expected to cut 16 minutes from travel time between Reid Highway and Fremantle Port
- Final scope and design to be determined in consultation with WA community, industry investors and the WA Government
- Existing ban on Restricted Access Vehicles to be extended to Leach Highway east of Stock Road upon completion
- More information on Perth Freight Link can be found here: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects
Source: News Release Transport Minister Dean Nalder, 19 May 2014