What’s happening
Construction complete
The Leach Highway and Welshpool Road Interchange project reached Practical Completion in March 2023. The project was delivered on time and within budget, despite a complex, high-traffic environment.
The project has addressed congestion and improved safety at what was once Perth’s most dangerous and second busiest intersection. The result is shorter, safer, more predictable journeys for local residents, commuters and the freight industry.
- Construction of a new bridge taking Leach Highway over Welshpool Road
- A roundabout at the current Leach Highway and Welshpool Road intersection
- Shared path along Leach Highway from Sevenoaks Street to Orrong Road
- Construction of a new bridge along Leach Highway over the Armadale line
The intersection is one of Perth’s most congested and dangerous intersections with at least 50,000 vehicles travelling through the intersection each weekday.
Leach Highway is a key route, particularly for freight travelling to and from Perth Airport and the Kewdale Freight Terminal. The project will also support the east-west freight link connecting Fremantle with the Kewdale and Welshpool industrial area.
Artist's impression
Public artist Anne Neill was engaged to develop the art concept for the new bridge. Anne’s concept was inspired by Welshpool’s history as a predominant Perth industrial area, with its silo towers, factory roofs, and significant transport and distribution of goods by road.
Tyre tread marks paired with saw-tooth factory roof lines from warehouses are reflected in the chosen the design. The colours selected for the artwork represent the earth, heritage brickwork and rusted steel tones found throughout the Welshpool industrial area.
Shipping Container Artwork
A shipping container has been placed on site for storage during the construction of the interchange and will be re-located within the area as required.
Local Aboriginal artist, Justin Martin from Djurandi Dreaming was engaged to develop the piece along with students from Queens Park Primary School.
The final theme for the container is based around the Nyoongar six seasons. The artwork was carried out over three days at Queens Park Primary School where all students left a personal mark with their handprints on the other side of the container.
The project is being undertaken to significantly improve vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian safety at one of Perth’s most critical junctions.
Additionally, the project will connect the residential suburbs of East Cannington and Queens Park with Victoria Park via Albany Highway.
Every effort has been undertaken to minimise impact on the surrounding environment, particularly established trees.
Our team has collaborated with conservation organisations to be able to reuse cleared vegetation where possible.
- Marri branches were delivered to Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre's aviary enclosures - the only dedicated conservation and rehabilitation centre for black cockatoos in Australia. Kaarakin is currently home to 200 native black cockatoos at various rehabilitation stages. Kaarakin works to rehabilitate injured black cockatoos and, if possible, to return them to wild flocks.
- 1,000 trees will be planted to offset the removal of trees to deliver the interchange.
- Jarrah branches were donated to the new dingo, wombat and kangaroo enclosures at WA Wildlife - WA's first wildlife Veterinary Hospital, which offers a range of services involving education, training, research, conservation and a wildlife rescue service. They provide medical care and rehabilitation for approximately 4,000 injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife each year.
Another sustainable construction practice being used on this project is the use of crushed recycled concrete and fill from various sites in the Perth metropolitan area.
Read more about our sustainable practices on our website.
Read more about our sustainability objectives and targets.
A Public Sustainability Report has been developed for the Project. The report can be found here.
Project and construction updates
- Construction Update - October 2022 - PDF (697 KB)
- Construction Update - September 2022 - PDF (721 KB)
- Construction Update - June 2022 - PDF (376 KB)
- Construction Update - March 2022 - PDF (420 KB) | Word document (988 KB)
- Construction Update - January 2021 - PDF (866 KB)
- Construction Update - December 2021 - PDF (810 KB)
- Construction Update - October 2021 - PDF (375 KB)
- Construction Update - July 2021 - PDF (756 KB)
- Construction update - June 2021 - PDF (470 KB)
- Construction update - May 2021 - PDF (467 KB)
- Project update - October 2020 - PDF (1.83 MB)
Videos
- Leach Highway and Welshpool Road bridge beam lift - April 2022
- Leach Highway bridge beam lift over the rail line - April 2022
Sustainability Reports
The Leach Welshpool Alliance is committed to achieving genuine sustainability outcomes and realising environmental, social and economic opportunities. The Alliance has embedded a sustainability culture throughout design and construction, and the Project is pursuing ISC ISv2.0 Design and As Built Self-Assessments verified by Main Roads.
The Project’s sustainability performance is reported annually:
Media Statements
- Construction underway to fix one of WA's most dangerous intersections - 8 June 2021
- Local contractor to deliver Leach Highway and Welshpool Road upgrade - 20 August 2020
- Leach Hwy and Welshpool Rd intersection upgrades a step closer - 24 May 2020
- Roads budget delivers congestion busting solution and WA jobs - 9 May 2019
Funding
The project is jointly funded with the Australian and State Governments each committing $68 million.
traffic flow
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