What's happening
New access to the Nowergup Rail Depot
The new southbound and northbound freeway lanes on either side of the rail depot as well as the upgrades to the Hester Avenue interchange and Nowergup Rail Depot access are almost completed. The new access to the Nowergup Rail Depot will open in February 2023. This purpose-built roundabout on Hester Avenue will improve entry and exit from the depot and create easy access to the freeway via Hester Avenue.
Depot workers travelling from Wanneroo Road will no longer have to loop around the Hester Avenue interchange to access the Depot, as the new roundabout will give them direct access. This will improve safety, congestion and connectivity. On road signage and email communications will support the opening. The map is now available to view, showing new access.
Upcoming early morning starts
Works to complete the new freeway bridges over the existing Butler train line are continuing and will require an extended period of after-hours works. The works include minor bridge screen modifications and will require the use of lighting towers and mobile plants.
After-hours works: East of Manasota Approach and Claremorris Parkway in the freeway reserve.
- 7pm to 7am, nightly from 13 to 16 March 2023
To limit the impact on adjacent residents, trucks will be moving along the new freeway alignment and where possible, using the dedicated construction vehicle entry on Mitchell Freeway.
Principal Shared Path on Hester Avenue between Wanneroo Road and Mitchell Freeway
- Closed from September 2022 to March 2023 (but reopened for the Christmas/New Year period)
- See Detour Map
- Access closed to Hester Avenue from the Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail
Construction Update
Construction is well underway across the 5.6km freeway extension, with the road pavements, bridges and shared paths all starting to take shape. The new freeway interchanges at Lukin Drive and Butler Boulevard are advancing, with the construction of bridge piers completed and decks being poured with concrete in preparation for pavement. The rail line interface at the Lukin Drive interchange has brought unique challenges, resulting in the bridge beams being installed during nightly rail line closures, and multiple pumps used for concrete pours to avoid the overhead lines.
Landscaping commenced over winter, supported by mulch and topsoil collected and stored on site from when the works first started. The new pavements and landscaping have significantly reduced the amount of area exposed to wind and we expect a reduction in dust levels in summer.
Sections of noise walls are nearing completion, with all noise walls on residential boundaries under construction or completed. Read more in the November 2022 project update.
Check out the video below to see the progress from the sky!
pressure off local roads
travel times
access in the area