Major works have commenced to improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection of the Leach Highway and Welshpool Road which has been one of Perth’s most dangerous intersections.
Up to 50,000 vehicles pass through the intersection every weekday, and when completed will support the east-west freight link between Fremantle and the Kewdale and Welshpool industrial areas.
The project will also provide access to industries and businesses in the region as well as connect the East Cannington and Queens Park residential suburbs to Victoria Park via Albany Highway.
Construction will be completed by the Leach Welshpool Alliance, a consortium made up of local contractors Georgiou Group Pty Ltd, BG&E Pty Ltd and Golder Associates Pty Ltd.
The $136 million project is being jointly funded by the State and Federal governments and the interchange upgrade will improve the most dangerous and second most congested intersection in WA.
A total of 224 crashes were recorded between 2015 and 2019, of which 204 were rear-end collisions.
The project will deliver a new grade-separated intersection with Leach Highway bridging over Welshpool Road and an upgrade of the Leach Highway Bridge over the railway south of the interchange.
“This project will provide Perth drivers with a safer and more efficient east-west freight connection, particularly between Fremantle and the industrial areas of Kewdale and Welshpool,” said Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher.
The Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange is, according to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, a well-known pinch point for commuters.
“These upgrades will improve safety, ease congestion, and encourage better flow of traffic as well as saving commuters travel time during peak hour,” she said.
“Combined with our level crossing removals along the Armadale Line this will completely transform this transport corridor,” said Saffioti.