Leach Highway and Welshpool Road Interchange

Construction Update - June 2021

Early works are underway and include geotechnical investigations, vegetation clearing, services locating and earthworks. They also include compaction trials in the road reserve at the north-eastern side of the Leach Highway and Welshpool Road intersection. These trials are testing the capability of new equipment to reduce vibration experienced by nearby premises.

From early June, temporary traffic management will be in place on Leach Highway between Orrong Road and Albany Highway. Please view our June Construction Update (PDF, 470 KB) for more information.

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.

• Early 2021: Pre-condition activities begin and construction starts
• Mid-2021: Construction begins
• Early 2023: Construction ends 

• From early June 2021 until further notice
• Vehicles will be unable to enter Ewing St from Railway Parade
• 

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

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

• 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. This includes:

• Donating branches to the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre in Martin. Kaarakin works to rehabilitate injured black cockatoos and, if possible, to return them to wild flocks.
• Donating branches and tree trunks to WA Wildlife in Bibra Lake, which offers a range of services involving education, training, research, conservation and a wildlife rescue service - providing medical care and rehabilitation for approximately 4,000 injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife each year.

Project and construction updates

• Construction update - June 2021 - PDF (470 KB)
• Roadworks update - June 2021 - PDF (242 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.