Funding for the full program of works has now been approved for the billion dollar Gateway WA Perth Airport and Freight Access Project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese said the Federal and Western Australian Governments have reached agreement on the final project price, scope of work and construction timetable.
“Agreement on the project’s price, scope and construction schedule is a major milestone for this ambitious project. It allows the project to proceed full steam ahead and we expect the upgrade to open to traffic by 2017,” he said.
“This is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in WA and was one of our key commitments at the last Federal election. Locking in the construction schedule for this project means this project has been promised, funded and delivered under Federal Labor.”
Federal Labor Candidate for Swan John Bissett said projects like this are necessary to ensuring WA remains a great place to live and invest in.
“Gateway WA is a great example of how we’re reinvesting a proportion of the wealth created by our natural resources back into building the infrastructure our communities need and rely upon. We want to make this State an even better place to invest in and raise a family,” he said.
“The project will upgrade the road network around Perth airport and surrounding areas, ensuring the precinct continues to play a critical role in the growth of our local and state economy into the future.
“The first stage of the project – the Abernethy Road-Tonkin Highway on-ramp – is on track to open next month and will provide immediate benefit and relief to the freight industry.”
Gateway WA is being jointly funded by the Federal Labor ($686 million) and Western Australian Governments and a tangible example of Federal Labor’s unprecedented $6.9 billion investment in the State’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure.
All up, we’ve more than doubled annual infrastructure spending from $92 to $261 per West Australian.
Funding for this project is already included in the budget.