What's Happening
New footbridge to be built across Tonkin Highway
To improve access to the future Malaga Station, and improve access to the western side of Whiteman Park, we will be building a new footbridge across Tonkin Highway as part of the Tonkin Gap Project and Associated Works.
The bridge will be built about 750 metres north of Marshall Road. Cyclist and pedestrians will access it from the principal shared path on the western side of Tonkin Highway, close to Premier Place, and via new paths on the east side.
We are in the early stages of design, and we will share more when it is developed further.
Read more about the bridge.
Redcliffe Bridge
This month, works will continue to install the permanent traffic barriers and build the road approaches at both ends of Redcliffe Bridge. The team have also started to install the noise walls panels on the northern end of the bridge deck.
Read about this and other upcoming works in the latest Construction Update, or click on the video below to see the works from the sky.
The Court and Victoria Street North, Redcliffe
- Ongoing to mid-December 2022 - 24 hour works
- Reduced to a single lane in and out of the cul-de-sac
- Noise wall installation and sheet piling works
Great Eastern Highway between Tonkin Highway and Kalgoorlie Street
- 28 and 29 November from 10pm to 7am
- Lane closures in both directions
- Signal modification works
Great Eastern Highway between Tonkin Highway and Kalgoorlie Street
- 28 November to 9 December 2022
- Monday to Thursday from 10pm to 5am
- Friday from midnight to 7am
- Lane closures in both directions
- Traffic signal works
Tonkin Highway southbound under Marshall Road
- 30 November and 1 December from 8pm to 5am
- 2 December from 8pm to 8am
- Lane closure
- Existing parapet removal
Tonkin Highway southbound off-ramps to Reid Highway
- 30 November and 1 December from 8pm to 5am
- 2 December from 8pm to 8am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Existing parapet removal
Tonkin Highway northbound on-ramp to Great Eastern Highway
- 30 November from 9pm to 5am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Street light removal
Tonkin Highway southbound between Great Eastern Highway and Dunreath Drive
- 30 November from 8pm to 5am
- Lane closures
- Barrier works
Tonkin Highway northbound over Guildford Road
- 30 November from 8pm to 5am
- Lane closures
- Barrier works
Guildford Road between Tonkin Highway ramps
- 1 December from 8pm to 4am
- 2 December from 8pm to 6am
- Lane closures in both directions
- Services works
Tonkin Highway between Dunstone Road and Railway Parade
- 1 December from 9pm to 5am
- Northbound lane closure
- Street light removal
Tonkin Highway northbound off-ramp to Guildford Road
- 1 December from 9pm to 5am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Street light removal
Tonkin Highway northbound on-ramp from Guildford Road
- 1 December from 9pm to 5am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Street light removal
- 5 December from 7pm to 5am
- Southbound lane closures
- Victoria Street footbridge works
Tonkin Highway between Great Eastern Highway and Collier Road
- 7 and 8 December from 9pm to 5am
- 10 December from 8pm to 8am
- Northbound lane closures
- Traffic switch
Tonkin Highway northbound on-ramp from Guildford Road
- 7 and 8 December from 9pm to 5am
- 10 December from 8pm to 8am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Traffic switch
Tonkin Highway northbound off-ramp to Guildford Road
- 7 and 8 December from 9pm to 5am
- 10 December from 8pm to 8am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Traffic switch
Tonkin Highway northbound off-ramp to Collier Road
- 7 and 8 December from 9pm to 5am
- 10 December from 8pm to 8am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Traffic switch
Tonkin Highway between Dunreath Drive and Great Eastern Highway
- 9 December from 9pm to 7am
- Northbound lane closures
- Barrier works and line marking
Tonkin Highway northbound off-ramp to Great Eastern Highway
- 9 December from 9pm to 7am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Barrier works and line marking
Tonkin Highway northbound off-ramp to Great Eastern Highway
- 9 December from 9pm to 7am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Barrier works and line marking
- 12 to 23 December
- Monday to Wednesday from 8pm to 4am
- Friday from 8pm to 6am
- Saturday from 7pm to 8am
- Closed
- Barrier works, kerbing, backfill and asphalting
Tonkin Highway southbound off ramp to Guildford Road
- 12 to 23 December
- Monday to Wednesday from 8pm to 4am
- Friday from 8pm to 6am
- Saturday from 7pm to 8am
- Closed
- Barrier works, kerbing, backfill and asphalting
Tonkin Highway southbound on-ramp from Morley Drive
- 12 to 15 December from 8pm to 4am
- 16 December from 8pm to 6am
- Closed
- Detour map
- Installation of handrails
Tonkin Highway southbound between Morley Drive and Collier Road
- 12 to 15 December from 8pm to 4am
- 16 December from 8pm to 6am
- Lane closures
- Installation of handrails
Long-term impacts
Tonkin Highway between Hepburn Avenue and Dunreath Drive
- Ongoing to late-2022, intermittently
- Intermittent mobile works and lane closures in both directions
- Line marking, water blasting and road sweeping
Great Eastern Highway between Epsom Avenue and Tonkin Highway
- Ongoing to early-2023 (24 hour works)
- Lane closures in both directions
- U-turn on Great Eastern Highway after Lyall Street temporarily not permitted
- Right turn into businesses and Ascot Apartments closed
- New U-turn available for motorists travelling eastbound
- Detour map
- Road works and upgrades to the interchange
Broun Avenue between Embleton Avenue and Beechboro Road North
- Ongoing to late-2022, 6am to 3pm (excluding Sundays)
- Lane closures and speed reductions in both directions
- Visit TransPerth to stay up to date on bus route impacts
- Broun Avenue realignment and bridge works
Tonkin Highway between Collier Road and Reid Highway
- Ongoing to late-2022 - 24 hour works
- Reduced to two through lanes in both directions
Additional dedicated lanes between interchanges and speed reductions - Rail-enabling works for Morley-Ellenbrook Line.
- Learn more about why these changes are needed in the Super Stage Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
Path impacts
View our Path Closure and Access Map to see what's happening in the project area, and how to navigate your way around the closures.
Click image to enlarge
Shared path between Acacia Ct and Benara Road
- Closed
- 7 November to early-2023
- Detour
- Earthworks
Victoria Street pedestrian bridge
- Closed
- 25 July to November 2022
- Detour
- Dismantling existing bridge and installing a new one
- Bridge deck and path tie in works
Tonkin Highway and Broun Avenue travelling northbound
- Closed
- Detours via a temporary access off Tonkin Highway, along the top of the skate park/BMX track, over the side oval and then along the car park, back up to Broun Avenue
- Detour
Great Eastern Highway underpass
- Closed
- Ongoing to early-2023
- The detour was carefully considered to allow for safe access across the highway
- Underpass extension and upgrade works
Tonkin Highway between Great Eastern Highway and Dunstone Road
- Closed
- Ongoing until project completion
- Detour map
- Construction Notification
Tonkin Highway between Collier Road and Guildford Road
- Closed
- Ongoing to late 2022
- Follow signed detours to the western side of Tonkin Highway
- Detour
Tonkin Highway between Parkview Parade and Victoria Street Footbridge
- Closed
- Ongoing to late-2023
- Follow signed detours via Morrison Street
- Detour
Guildford Road near Tonkin Highway
- Closed
- Ongoing until project completion
- Follow signed detours to the northern side of Guildford Road
- Detour
Guildford Road between the Tonkin Highway ramps
- Closed
- Ongoing to late-2022
- Path users diverted onto the road, follow signed detours
- Detour
We are collaborating with local government, Department of Transport and WestCycle as part of the design process.
Talkin' Tonkin
Welcome to Talkin' Tonkin, where we will record a series of videos during construction to introduce the project team and keep you updated on upcoming traffic changes, construction updates, milestones, plus more.
- Series 1 - Super Stage
- Series 2 - Railway Parade beam install
- Series 3 - Career expo for local students
- Series 4 - Managing our environmental footprint
- Series 5 - Noise walls
- Series 6 - Bridge beams
- Series 7 - Building the road
- Series 8 - Broun Avenue Bridge deconstruction
- Series 9 - Construction update
- Series 10 - Victoria Street pedestrian bridge
- Series 11 - Southern Dive
- Series 12 - Revegetation
What’s that smell?
You may have noticed a strong smell in the project area. This smell is produced when new roads are built – in particular when the prime is sprayed on top of the base.
For Tonkin Gap, roads are being built for high volume traffic numbers known as Full Depth Asphalt (PDA) pavements. The process for PDA includes multiple steps and multiple layers.
Firstly, a base layer is applied, followed by a prime and then layers of asphalt.
Learn more in our Building a Road FAQs.
Noise and screen walls
A noise wall is a structure built between the road and a residential property. It improves amenity for surrounding residents by reflecting sound waves from the road, forcing sound to travel over and around the edges of the walls, thereby reducing the amount of noise that reaches nearby homes.
Screen walls protect residents’ privacy from passing traffic at the rear of their property only. We will consider screen walls in cases where the construction has reduced the existing level of privacy.
As part of this project, we expect to build noise or screen walls adjacent to most residential areas. The design and location of these will be finalised as part of the detailed design process. We have done noise modelling across the project area and noise mitigation would apply for areas that will be impacted by noise. We will ensure our noise mitigation meets the State Planning Policy 5.4 guidelines for acceptable noise levels.
If we need to construct noise or screen walls on property boundaries, the contractor will engage with individual property owners.
Property Condition Surveys
If your property falls within the area that meets the criteria for a survey, you will receive a letter in the mail. If you believe your property has been damaged and you are not eligible for a property survey, please contact our team.Dust and Vibration
Road trains will continue to use Tonkin Highway. There are no current plans to revise the RAV access network arrangements.
Environment
This is a very constrained site and there is no way we can build the required infrastructure without clearing vegetation. However, we are committed to minimising the extent of clearing and are exploring opportunities for local and regional environmental offsets. Any clearing will also be undertaken with appropriate State and Federal government approvals.
Project approvals from environmental regulators including the Environmental Protection Authority of WA (EPA), Department of Water and Environment Regulation, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has been obtained for the project. All relevant works approvals from appropriate agencies including Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attraction, where the Swan River Trust is housed, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for groundwater and contamination issues and local government authorities for out of hours approvals will be sought.
Flora and Fauna
The assessment included a detailed flora and vegetation assessment, a Black Cockatoo and fauna habitat assessment including inspection of mature trees to record habitat and breeding trees suitable for use by Black Cockatoo species, and a water insect, water and sediment survey of the Swan River. While potential Black Cockatoo nesting trees were identified during surveys, none with suitable hollows were found.
We would prefer not to have any impact on nesting cockatoos. We will be looking for all potential solutions to avoid this. Where we do need to remove such a tree, our Environment Team will inspect the trees prior to check if any cockatoos are nesting and relocate if necessary. We are consulting with community before vegetation within the project area is cleared.
The Tonkin Gap Project was referred to the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) in 2019, and both the EPA and DAWE determined that the potential impacts of the project are not significant and does not require further assessment.
Park and foreshore changes
An area of Selby Park has always been reserved for a Tonkin Highway upgrade under the State Government’s Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS). This will be required to build the new loop ramp from Great Eastern Highway. We are working closely with the City of Belmont to minimise the impact and determine how best to reinstate the park at the conclusion of the works.
We have identified an area under the Redcliffe Bridge, on the City of Bayswater side, that we could enhance. We are already working with the City of Bayswater and other State Government agencies to consider opportunities in this location. Suggestions from stakeholders and the community have included a skate park, fishing platforms and shared path facilities. Further consultation with local government, stakeholders and the community will be undertaken.
Heritage
We aim to avoid, minimise, and reduce our negative impacts to Aboriginal and European heritage sites wherever practicable, in line with Main Roads’ commitment to recognising heritage. A heritage trail will be constructed as part of the project and will predominately run from Great Eastern Highway to Guildford Road along the new Principal Shared Path.
Aboriginal heritage
For this project, we conducted heritage surveys and two sites of Aboriginal cultural significance were identified within the works area:
- The Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River)
- Two River Gum trees each with a single cultural scar
The Derbarl Yerrigan is said to have been created by the Wagyl, a spiritual being often described as a serpent or snake, who still resides in river systems. It represents cultural continuity and is incorporated in many language groups oral histories.
Scar trees are the result of removing parts of the tree to make objects and artefacts, representing the traditional knowledge of the Whadjuk people. This provides an indication to the ancestral occupation and use of the area’s resources.
The input and contribution of Traditional Owners are valued, and we are seeking advice and opinions from Whadjuk Traditional Owners on this project.
For example, when disturbing any ground near, or in, the Derbarl Yerrigan we have employed Whadjuk Heritage Monitors. Their role is to observe ground disturbance as it is occurring to prevent possible harm to Aboriginal heritage.
We will also be incorporating Aboriginal urban design within areas of the project, including under the Redcliffe Bridge, Great Eastern Highway and Guildford Road underpasses.
European Heritage
European heritage searches of state and local heritage registers also revealed three sites of varying cultural and heritage value, within the vicinity of the Project, with one of these being within the Project boundary. The sites are:
- Sugar’s Brickworks, Ascot
- Brady Plaster Works, Bayswater
- Cresco Fertiliser, Bayswater
The Sugar’s Brickworks site is located on the southern bank of the Swan River, underneath Redcliffe Bridge, and is currently recognised with a plaque that will remain in place throughout construction and operation. Brady Plaster Works site has been excluded from state registers due to lack of cultural significance, however prior to its demolition, TGA produced a standard archival record to be submitted to the Heritage Council of WA. Lastly, the Cresco site was a landmark in industrial development within the area, however, it is not included on state registers.
Have your say
As a key focus area for the project, we are asking our community to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions as to how we can better embed sustainability into the project by completing our sustainability survey (PDF). Once completed, please email to enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au with the subject line ‘Tonkin Gap Sustainability’.
What is Infrastructure Sustainability?
Infrastructure sustainability is infrastructure that is designed, constructed and operated to optimise environmental, social and economic outcomes of the long term.
To support our commitment to driving positive sustainable outcomes, we are applying the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) V2.0 Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating framework for the design and construction phases of this project to assess the project.
This is an industry-benchmarking tool that has been developed in consultation with the industry to embed sustainable practices in every aspect of infrastructure design, construction and operation. The process is evidence based and we will provide the full assessment to ISC at the end of each phase to be independent verified by a third party. Following this, the project will be awarded with a certification and rating which can be assessed against other major infrastructure projects across Australia.
Our Sustainability Commitment
Sustainability is a key focus for the project that we have considered during the design and construction phase of the project. We have developed a Tonkin Gap Project & Associated Works Sustainability Policy (PDF) to reflect our commitment to addressing sustainability issues including growth and economic benefit, efficient resource use, sustainable procurement, and community and stakeholder influence.
Project Objectives and Targets
We have used the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to guide the consideration of key focus areas of sustainability for the project. An internal multi-disciplinary team has developed Sustainability Focus Areas (PDF) from key sustainability issues on the project. These focus areas help guide the identification of key risks and opportunities for the project.
From these objectives we have also identified sustainability targets (Word document) to ensure sustainability is front of mind during design, construction and operation. We will be monitoring our achievement as the project progresses.
Sustainable Development Goals
We measure and track our sustainability performance against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
This information sheet (PDF) summarises what you need to know about how the project aligns with the global sustainability agenda. The goals are also linked to our project sustainability objectives (PDF).
Tonkin Highway will be transformed to deliver a high standard, north-south transport link from Muchea to Mundijong.
The Tonkin Gap Project will address the current bottleneck where the highway reduces from three lanes to two lanes in Bayswater and Redcliffe, significantly reducing travel times and improving safety. We will also be making improvements to access and connectivity for road users, pedestrians and cyclists in the project area.
The Associated Works will provide rail-enabling works for the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line along Tonkin Highway, including underpasses and dive structures, to enable trains to enter and travel along the median of Tonkin Highway then exit in Malaga. Road and bus bridges will be built at Broun Avenue to provide access to the future Morley Station.
The upgrades are expected to save road users up to 6 minutes of travel time during morning peak and up to 11 minutes of travel time during afternoon peak.
The preliminary concept includes:
- Widening Tonkin Highway to provide new lanes in each direction from Dunreath Drive to Collier Road, as well as new roads linking Guildford Road and Great Eastern Highway
- New bridges over the Swan River, Dunstone Road, Guildford Road, Railway Parade
- New fully grade-separated Principal Shared Path (PSP) on the western side of Tonkin Highway from north of Guildford Road interchange to approximately Stanton Road with local connections
- Noise walls
- Upgraded lighting and intelligent transport systems (ITS) infrastructure
Project and construction updates
- Construction Update - November 2022 - PDF (553 KB)
- Construction Update - October 2022 - Word document (5.02 MB)
- Project Update - September 2022 - PDF (2.27 MB)
- Construction Update - September 2022 - PDF (457KB)
- Construction Update - July 2022 - PDF (559 KB)
- Construction Update - June 2022 - Word document (1.82 MB)
- Construction Update - May 2022 - Word document (2.65 MB)
- Construction Update - April 2022 - PDF (768 KB) | Word document (4.26 MB)
- Construction Update - March 2022 - PDF (802 KB)
- Construction Update - February 2022 - Word document (2.52 MB)
- Construction Update - January 2022 - Word document (2.58 MB)
- Construction Update - November 2021 - PDF (535 KB)
- Construction Update - October 2021 - Word document (1.1 MB)
- Project Update - September 2021 - PDF (3.29 MB)
- Construction Update - September 2021 - PDF (606 KB)
- Construction Update - August 2021 - PDF (933 KB)
- Construction Update - July 2021 - PDF (912 KB)
- Construction Update - June 2021 - PDF (1.37 MB)
- Construction Update - May 2021 - PDF (617 KB)
- Construction Update - April 2021 - PDF (806 KB)
- Construction Update - March 2021 - Word document (2.05 MB)
- Construction Update - February 2021 - Word document (2.32 MB)
- Construction Update - January 2021 - PDF (804 KB)
- Construction Update - December 2020 - Word document (6.65 MB)
- Construction Update - November 2020 - Word document (6.43 MB)
- Project Update - July 2020 - PDF (2.8 MB)
- Project Update - October 2019 - PDF (3.9 MB)
Project information
- Survey Results - Redcliffe Bridge Community Space - PDF (145 KB)
- Fact Sheet - Vibration - PDF (696 KB)
- Fact Sheet - Redcliffe Bridge Construction - Word document (2.69 MB)
- Fact Sheet - Noise and Screen Walls - PDF (707 KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions - Noise Wall - Word document (6.88 MB)
- Frequently Asked Questions - Super Stage - Word document (7.2 MB)
- Frequently Asked Questions - PDF (2 MB)
Media Statements
- Broun Avenue bridge demolished to make way for Morley Station - 5 April 2022
- Locally made beams installed on first new bridge over Railway Parade - 13 October 2021
- Work well underway on new Redcliffe Bridge - 31 August 2021
- Job-creating congestion-busting road and rail project underway - 2 November 2020
- Tonkin Gap contract fast tracked unlocking thousands of jobs - 21 June 2020
- Preferred proponent announced to build congestion busting Tonkin Gap project - 12 May 2020
- Roads budget delivers congestion busting solution and WA jobs - 9 May 2019
Funding
Jointly funded by the Australian ($232 million) and Western Australian Government ($58 million).
pressure
travel times
safety & connectivity