GHD signs contract to transform Perth’s most congested roads

Leading professional services company GHD in an alliance with BMD, Georgiou, WA Limestone and BG&E has signed the contract to design and construct the AUD400 million Tonkin Gap Project And Associated Works in Perth, Western Australia.  

Working with Main Roads Western Australia and the Public Transport Authority, the alliance will close the gap between the recently complete Gateway WA and NorthLink WA projects. It also represents the final phase of a major infrastructure plan that Main Roads has been delivering over the past six years.

This connection will remove a major bottleneck on Tonkin Highway between Bayswater, Morley and Redcliffe, which carries more than 120,000 vehicles every day. 

“This bottleneck is widely known as one of Western Australia’s most congested sections of roads so we are pleased to be able to play a role in changing this for the community,” says Craig Hugo, GHD’s Project Manager. “Drivers will save up to six minutes during morning peak and 11 minutes during afternoon peak times with the improved flow of traffic.”

Some of the many important project features include additional lanes, a new Principal Shared Path for cyclists and pedestrians as well as noise walls and amenities. The duplication of the existing 330m Redcliffe Bridge crossing the Swan River is another key feature. 

The project includes early enabling rail works for METRONET’s Morley-Ellenbrook Line, including lane adjustment works on Tonkin Highway, additional bridges and two new dive structures enabling the proposed rail line to enter and exit the Tonkin Highway median.

“We will be drawing on our extensive transport capability across GHD’s national team as part of this alliance,” says Mikel Alonso, Australian Transport Market Leader.

“It is fantastic to see major transport infrastructure projects like Tonkin Gap continue to move ahead despite challenging and uncertain times. It will have major benefits for the surrounding communities and the growing population for decades to come. And it is expected to provide more than 3000 jobs for locals, which is more important than ever,” adds Mikel. 

The Tonkin Gap Project includes:

• Additional traffic lanes in each direction between Collier Road and Dunreath Drive
• New bridges over the Swan River, Guildford Road, Railway Parade, the Midland Line railway and Dunstone Road
• Upgrades to the Guildford Road and Great Eastern Highway interchanges
• Principal Shared Path improvements with bridges, underpasses and local connections for cyclists and pedestrians
• Noise walls, lighting and amenity improvements

Design has started and site-based activities are set to commence in September 2020.