What's Happening
Contract awarded
A contract has been awarded to a consortium comprised of CPB Contractors, McConnell Dowell Constructors, Arup Australia Projects and Jacobs Group for the delivery of the Kwinana Freeway Upgrade project.
Detailed design will now begin, followed by construction in early 2027 once environmental approvals are complete.
Read more in the Minister for Transport’s media statement.
Concept Design
A concept design has been developed for the Kwinana Freeway Upgrade as part of the project’s planning and development. It outlines:
- Configuration and location of additional lanes.
- Principal Shared Path alignment and connections.
- Proposed extent of new or modified noise walls.
View the concept design here:
- Concept Design - Key Plan
- Roe Highway to Berrigan Drive (Sheet 1)
- Berrigan Drive to Beeliar Drive (Sheet 2)
- Beeliar Drive to Russell Road/Gibbs Road (Sheet 3)
- Russell Road/Gibbs Road to Rowley Road (Sheet 4)
- Rowley Road to Anketell Road (Sheet 5)
- Anketell Road to Thomas Road (Sheet 6)
- Thomas Road to Mortimer Road (Sheet 7)
- Mortimer Road to Mundijong Road (Sheet 8)
- Munidjong Road to Safety Bay Road (Sheet 9)
The concept design has been informed by works completed during planning and project development including on-site investigations, environmental and heritage assessments, and early design development for road, bridge, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and drainage.
A Fact Sheet on the Concept Design provides further information.
Planning is underway for the upgrade of Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road.
Kwinana Freeway continues to be one of the busiest roads in Perth and currently experiences congestion during peak periods. With Perth’s population forecast to increase to 3.5 million by 2050, it is important that we plan for the future to ensure our transport infrastructure can support this growth and facilitate economic opportunities over time.
The widening and upgrade of Kwinana Freeway will include:
- A new lane in each direction between Russell Road and Mortimer Road (increasing from two lanes to three).
- A new southbound lane between Roe Highway and Berrigan Drive (increasing from four lanes to five).
- A new northbound lane from Russell Road to Beeliar Drive (increasing from three lanes to four).
- New coordinated ramp signals on the northbound side of the freeway between Safety Bay Road and Roe Highway, to smooth the flow of traffic on the Freeway at busy times.
- Improvements to safety barriers, surfacing and drainage.
The information gathered at the pop-ups has been shared with the project team and will be considered as planning progresses over the coming months.
We are planning future communication and engagement activities.EPBC 2025/10266
Notification for Publication of Preliminary Documentation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Public Comment - 27 July to 21 August 2026
In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, public comment was invited on an action proposed to be taken in the City of Cockburn and the City of Kwinana, Western Australia.
Main Roads Western Australia is proposing to widen and upgrade approximately 20 kilometres of Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway in the City of Cockburn and Mortimer Road in the City of Kwinana, Western Australia (the Proposed Action). The Proposed Action includes the construction of additional lanes in each direction, freeway ramp upgrades, noise walls, principal shared paths and other road infrastructure.
The Proposed Action has been determined to be a controlled action under the EPBC Act and will be assessed through Preliminary Documentation. The controlling provision under Part 3 of the EPBC Act is listed threatened species and communities (Section 18 and 18A). The EPBC-listed species and communities (protected matters) that are impacted by the Proposed Action include:
- Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain Threatened Ecological Community - Endangered
- Tuart (eucalyptus gomphocephala) Woodlands and Forests of the Swan Coastal Plan Threatened Ecological Community - Critically Endangered
- Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) - Endangered
- Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) - Vulnerable
- Grand Spider Orchid (Caladenia huegelii) - Endangered
- Dwarf Bee Orchid (Diuris micrantha) - Vulnerable
- Glossy-Leaved Hammer Orchid (Drakaea elastica) – Endangered
In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, Preliminary Documentation related to the Proposed Action was available for viewing and comment for 20 business days from date of advertisement.
Electronic versions of the documentation can be viewed or downloaded in portable document format (PDF) below.
- EPBC s156B Letter - PDF (18.13 MB)
- EPBC Referral Supporting Documentation - PDF (118.24 MB)
- EPBC Preliminary Documentation - PDF (47.76 MB)
- Attachment 01 - Kwinana Freeway Widening - Flora and Fauna Survey - PDF (82.21 MB)
- Attachment 02 - Roe Highway Widening - Flora and Vegetation Survey - PDF (35.9 MB)
- Attachment 03 - Roe Highway Widening - Basic Fauna Survey - PDF (18.91 MB)
- Attachment 04 - Roe Highway Widening - Targeted Black Cockatoo Survey - PDF (32.47 MB)
- Attachment 05 - Kwinana Targeted Orchid Survey - PDF (12.05 MB)
- Attachment 06 - Anketell Rd Upgrade Consolidated - PDF (80.27 MB)
- Attachment 07 - Phytophthora Dieback Occurrence Report - PDF - (3.95 MB)
- Attachment 08 - Environmental Management Plan (with figures) - PDF (19.42 MB)
- Attachment 09 - Tuart and Banksia TEC HQS - PDF (25.44 MB)
- Attachment 10 - Offset Strategy - PDF (9.27 MB)
- Attachment 11 - Kwinana Freeway - Thomsons Lake Impact assessment and modelling - PDF (1.75 MB)
Should assistance be required to access the document (i.e., for persons for whom English is a second language or who have a vision impairment), please email enquiries@mainoads.wa.gov.au or contact Main Roads’ Customer Information Centre on 138 138.
Why does Kwinana Freeway need to be widened now?
Kwinana Freeway typically accommodates around 100,000 vehicles daily, 10 - 15 per cent of which are heavy freight vehicles. Existing congestion causes frustration for motorists and hampers the efficient movement of freight. Widening the freeway is essential to alleviate these bottlenecks, enhance traffic flow and support future development.
How will environmental impacts be managed?
A range of environmental and technical investigations have been undertaken to understand potential environmental impacts. Environmental and heritage assessments, and approvals are in progress. Environmental impacts will be managed during construction in accordance with Environmental Management Plans and approval conditions received.
What are ramp signals?
What environmental approvals must the project obtain?
The Kwinana Freeway Upgrade will comply with relevant State and Commonwealth regulatory requirements. The project has been referred to:
Commonwealth: National EPA (formerly the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)).
Main Roads referred the project to the National EPA in August 2025.
Following the referral public consultation period, the proposal was determined to be a “controlled action”. The project is therefore undergoing assessment due to its impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Preliminary Documentation including an offset strategy will be advertised on 27 July 2026 for a four week public comment period.
State: The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)
Main Roads submitted a native vegetation clearing permit application in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Main Roads is providing DWER additional information. The clearing permit will be subject to a 21 day appeal period. Any appeals received must be resolved before the clearing of native vegetation can commence.
Main Roads will obtain any additional environmental approvals required to facilitate the project.
What studies and investigations are being undertaken to identify environmental impacts?
A range of environmental and technical investigations will continue to be undertaken to inform the approvals process, design refinements and mitigations.
Investigations include biological assessments (Flora and Fauna) and noise assessments. Where impacts can’t be avoided, offsets will be provided consisting of acquisition and partnerships with DBCA and the City of Kwinana to improve local reserves.
Will the community receive an opportunity to provide comment as part of the environmental approvals process?
Opportunity for public comment on the referral was invited in September 2025 and considered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in their determination of the project’s level of assessment.
The community will be provided a further opportunity to comment Q1 2026 on the project proposal as part of DCCEEW’s assessment.
How are noise impacts managed?
We understand that noise mitigation is an important consideration for the community, particularly for residents located adjacent to the freeway.
Noise modelling is being undertaken using the project’s concept design to forecast noise levels in accordance with State Planning Policy 5.4 Road and Rail Noise (SPP5.4). This will inform the design of new (or modified) noise walls.
Once the delivery contract is awarded in 2026, the delivery contractor will review noise levels in accordance with SPP5.4 using the detailed design that will be developed as part of the project.
Landowner consultation will be undertaken in relation to noise treatments.
How is Aboriginal cultural heritage being considered?
The project team is working with the Gnaala Karla Booja and Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation to ensure heritage values are considered and protected as part of the project’s design refinement. A heritage survey will be undertaken, and Main Roads will obtain any necessary approvals in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
Project information
- Fact Sheet - Concept Design - PDF (280 KB)
- Project Overview - PDF (889 KB)
- Project Map - PDF (219 KB)
Concept Design
- Concept Design - Key Plan - PDF (20.49 MB)
- Roe Highway to Berrigan Drive (Sheet 1) - PDF (17.19 MB)
- Berrigan Drive to Beeliar Drive (Sheet 2) - PDF (11.05 MB)
- Beeliar Drive to Russell Road/Gibbs Road (Sheet 3) - PDF (24.04 MB)
- Russell Road/Gibbs Road to Rowley Road (Sheet 4) - PDF (10.03 MB)
- Rowley Road to Anketell Road (Sheet 5) - PDF (24.93 MB)
- Anketell Road to Thomas Road (Sheet 6) - PDF (14.68 MB)
- Thomas Road to Mortimer Road (Sheet 7) - PDF (17.89 MB)
- Mortimer Road to Mundijong Road (Sheet 8) - PDF (23.16 MB)
- Munidjong Road to Safety Bay Road (Sheet 9) - PDF (26.30 MB)
Media statements
- Joint media statement - Construction contract awarded for Kwinana Freeway upgrade - 28 August 2026
- Joint media statement - Preferred proponent chosen to deliver Kwinana Freeway Upgrade - 26 July 2026
- Requests for proposals issued for Kwinana Freeway upgrade - 9 March 2026
- Joint media statement - Expressions of interest called to upgrade Kwinana Freeway - 9 October 2025
Funding
The Federal and State Governments have committed $700 million in funding for the proposed upgrades.
safety
transport corridor
future population need