The $280 million project which is widening the Great Eastern Highway between Kooyong Road and the Tonkin Highway from four to six lanes is on track to be completed in June, six months ahead of schedule.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement during an on-site inspection of the works currently underway in Belmont.
“One of our key pledges prior to the last election, this project will ease congestion along the Highway by increasing its carrying capacity between Kooyong Road and the Tonkin Highway by some 70 per cent, from 50,000 to 85,000 vehicles a day,” said Mr Albanese.
“We’re determined to make Perth an even better place to live and raise a family.
“This project is part of the unprecedented $3.7 billion capital works program which we’ve being rolled out across the State over the past 5 years.  Indeed, we’ve almost doubled annual Federal infrastructure spending from $154 to $261 per Western Australian.”
The widening of the Great Eastern Highway is being jointly funded by the Federal Labor ($224 million) and Western Australian ($56 million) governments. These works will complement other improvements to the Highway, including the new interchange at the intersection with the Roe Highway which was completed last year.
Western Australian Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the Great Eastern Highway is one of Perth’s most critical pieces of road infrastructure and the upgrade which is now nearing completion will cut travel times, ease congestion and improve access to the City’s Airport and surrounding areas.
“Furthermore, it will improve safety for local residents and other regular users of the Highway as well as deliver better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Mr Buswell.
“What’s more, during its delivery this multi-million project has created and supported more than 230 jobs, delivering an important stimulus to the local economy.”
 
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