Updated 26 March 2010
Current Status
Maps and travel info
About the Project
Community Involvement
Forrest Highway and the extension of Kwinana Freeway were officially opened Sunday, 20 September 2009.
In officially opening the State’s biggest ever road infrastructure project, the Premier, Colin Barnett, and Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said the highway would significantly redefine Bunbury and the South West’s role in the future development of WA.
For the official statement please visit the State Government's Media Release website.
Road users intending to travel south are reminded of the following changes on the new highway:
- The 100 km/h speed limit continues from Safety Bay Road through to just south of Lakes Road. A 110 km/h speed limit then applies through to and including Forrest Highway and Old Coast Road;
- Six interchanges connecting to existing roads to provide safe access to Safety Bay Road, Karnup Road, Paganoni Road, Lymon Road, Lakes Road and Pinjarra Road.
Please view the
for all access points to the Highway/Freeway.
- Eight rest areas have been provided on Forrest Highway, four in each direction. Toilet facilities have been provided at the rest areas located at Dorset Road. We have developed a Map of Roadside Facility Locations (1 page PDF 947 KB) to assist you on your journey.
- Variable Message Signs installed on the new highway enabling the Traffic Operations Centre to alert motorists to delays caused by incidents or roadworks and to promote safety messages.
- 32 km of principal shared path for pedestrians and cyclists including underpasses at Safety Bay Road, Karnup Road, Paganoni Road, Lakes Road and Pinjarra Road; and
- 14 newly installed closed circuit cameras. Main Roads Traffic Operations Centre will be able to monitor traffic conditions on the new highway with the assistance of these newly installed cameras, together with aerial surveillance on Friday and Monday afternoons over the long weekend.
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The New Perth Bunbury Highway (NPBH) was a large scale infrastructure project, involving design and construction of 70.5 km of dual carriageway.
The Highway was under construction as a single project and extends the dual carriageway from Kwinana Freeway at Safety Bay Road in Baldivis, around the eastern side of the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary to join the existing dual carriageway on Old Coast Road at Lake Clifton.
The Highway was constructed to freeway standard from Safety Bay Road to South Yunderup a distance of some 32 km. The remainder of the route, 38 km, will initially be built as a rural highway, with the ability to upgrade it in the future as traffic demands increase.
Funded by both the Commonwealth and State Government of WA, the project doubles the length of the existing freeway network and provides a high standard inter-regional road link that will improve transport connectivity and road safety.
The Project includes:
- 6 interchanges
- 10 intersections
- 19 bridges
- 32 km of principal shared path for pedestrians and cyclists
- 7 pedestrian and cyclist underpasses
- 14 fauna underpasses
As the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Main Roads, the Highway is expected to greatly benefit West Australians by enhancing efficiency and accessibility of the State's road network.
The project was delivered by the Southern Gateway Alliance, which includes Main Roads and three of the industry's leading companies - Leighton Contractors, WA Limestone and GHD.
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New Perth Bunbury Highway project map (1 page PDF 846 KB)
To encourage community involvement in the project, the Alliance has used a range of engagement methods including:
- Technical Working Groups
- Dialogue with the Community Workshops
- Neighbourhood meetings
- Stakeholder meetings on special interest issues
- Information sessions and presentations
These activities have enabled matters regarding the design concept and scope of works such as design requirements, environmental commitments and construction to be deliberated with the community and key stakeholders.
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