Leach Highway and Welshpool Road Interchange

Artist's impression

Public artist Anne Neill is engaged to develop the art concept for the new Leach Highway bridge over Welshpool Road.

Anne’s concept is 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.

The importance of transport, industrial repetition and the roads which connect Welshpool to Perth were explored. 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.

Construction Update - August 2021

Importation of fill continues to build up the new road alignment for construction of the new Leach Highway bridge over Welshpool Road. 

• Service relocations and power undergrounding works along Welshpool Road and Ewing Street, which are nearing completion
• Night works between 7pm to 5am
• Footing preparation for bridges
• Retaining wall installation along the northern section of Leach Highway
• Construction of temporary pavements along Leach Highway using recycled road base
• Importation and compaction of fill

You may notice:

• A series of minor traffic diversions along Leach Highway over the next six months
• Traffic changes including speed reductions, lane closures on Welshpool Road and lane narrowing on Leach Highway
• Leach Highway closure to cyclists from Orrong Road to Albany Highway
• Night works between 7pm to 5am may generate low levels of noise and vibration

Changes to businesses access

The project will alter access to some businesses. All will remain open for trade while works are underway.

• 119 Welshpool Road - Driveway from Welshpool Road will be permanently closed. Access via the laneway at the rear of the premises, off Ewing Street.
• Welshpool Trade Centre: 108 Welshpool Road - Eastern driveway from Welshpool Road closest to Leach Highway will be permanently closed. Access via the western Welshpool Road driveway, and Tomlinson Road.
• Welshpool Self Storage: 122 Welshpool Road - Driveway from Welshpool Road will be permanently closed. Access from Division Street.

• Early 2021: Pre-condition activities began and construction started
• Mid-2021: Construction begins
• Early 2023: Construction ends 

A series of minor traffic diversions will be implemented on Leach Highway from August 2021 to February 2022.

Diversion program

• The first diversion will occur in August on Leach Highway approaching Orrong Road
• The second diversion will occur late August/early September near Albany Highway
• Further minor diversions can then be expected as roadworks progress

Two lanes each way will be maintained during daylight hours, and these diversions are not expected to affect traffic flows on Leach Highway.

Ewing Street North

• From Monday 2 August for 6 months, vehicles will not be able to enter Ewing Street North from Railway Parade. This will enable works to build the new road alignment where Ewing Street North meets Railway Parade for the Leach Highway rail bridge duplication.
  
  For additional information, view the Ewing Street July Roadworks Update (PDF).

• 

Leach Highway between Orrong Road and Albany Highway

• From early June 2021 until further notice
  • Speed reductions, temporary traffic barriers, reduced lane widths
  • Night and weekend lane closures

Leach Highway realignments

• Temporary realignments should be expected on Leach Highway from September. Unless advised, two lanes each way will be maintained.

Shared path on Sevenoaks St between Mills St and John St

• Closed from early June 2021 until March 2022
• Detour in place along Railway Parade

Welshpool Road approaching the intersection with Leach Highway 

• From June 2021 until further notice
  • Speed reductions
  • Temporary traffic barriers
• Lane closure each way until October 2021.

We have undertaken every effort 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.
• 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.
• 1,000 trees will be planted to offset the removal of trees to deliver the interchange.

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 (QPPS).

The final theme for the container is based around the Nyoongar six seasons.  The artwork was carried out over three days at QPPS where all students left a personal mark with their handprints on the other side of the container.

Project and construction updates

• 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)

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.