The widening of Mitchell Freeway near Joondalup and a train station at Lakelands are some of the new projects to be funded from a $940 million, four-year infrastructure stimulus package announced today.
The widening of Mitchell Freeway near Joondalup and a train station at Lakelands are some of the new projects to be funded from a $940 million, four-year infrastructure stimulus package announced today.
The federal government released a $3.8 billion national infrastructure stimulus package, which included $868 million for WA and $1.9 billion for Queensland.
The remainder of the $940 million for WA will come from the state government.
Eight existing projects in WA will be brought forward as a result of the investment, including the Fremantle Traffic Bridge which will receive $16 million in federal and state contributions, the Tonkin Highway Gap (around $160 million), the Karratha to Tom Price Corridor (around $157 million) and the Bunbury Outer Ring road (around $284 million).
Six new road and rail projects have also been created and will receive more than $200 million in federal and state contributions (see below).
State transport minister Rita Saffioti said the new road and rail projects join a long pipeline of other major infrastructure developments in WA.
“The package of works has something for Perth’s northern, eastern and southern suburbs which are all experiencing significant population growth,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The state government put forward an ambitious timeframe for the existing projects and we’re working hard to get new contracts underway as soon as possible, including having to work through federal environmental processes.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the eight existing projects would boost jobs and deliver the road and rail projects WA needs to help bust congestion.
“We’re delivering this package of critical road and rail projects sooner as part of our $100 billion pipeline, which forms a key plank of our plan for a stronger economy” Mr Morrison said.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the new package of works would generate 1,000 jobs, adding to the thousands of other jobs created under existing WA infrastructure projects.
“We’re already embarking on the biggest road and rail building program WA has ever seen,” Mr McGowan said.
“My government’s number one priority is local jobs – this new infrastructure package will create more WA jobs and more opportunities for local businesses.
“The bringing forward of funding by the Commonwealth also ensures that the state government can get on with building the projects.”
Western Roads Federation also welcomed the infrastructure investment, saying the new and existing projects would deliver road safety and productivity benefits when completed.
New infrastructure projects:
Mitchell Freeway widening southbound
Cost estimate: $76 million
Jobs created: 530
Funding split: $38 million Federal, $38 million State
Lakelands train station (Mandurah Line)
Cost estimate: $80 million
Jobs created: 200
Funding split: $64 million Federal, $16 million State
Great Northern Highway (Apple Street) intersection upgrade
Cost estimate: $14 million
Jobs created: 90
Funding split: $7 million Federal, $7 million State/City of Swan/private sector
Wanneroo Road (Morley Drive) intersection upgrade
Cost estimate: $15 million
Jobs created: 90
Funding split: $7.5 million Federal, $7.5 million State
Great Eastern Highway (Old Northam Road) upgrade two intersections at Wooroloo and at Sawyers Valley
Cost estimate: $14.375 million
Jobs created: 70
Funding split: $11.5 million Federal, $2.875 million State
Reid Highway (Erindale Road) project development for grade separation
Cost estimate: $2.5 million (seed funding)
Jobs created: TBA
Funding split: $2 million Federal, $0.5 million State
