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 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
Upcoming Works
Works continue across various locations of the project. Clearing will begin along Tonkin Highway from Great Eastern Highway to Dunreath Drive and from Railway Parade to Collier Road.
At the corner of Railway Parade and Tonkin Highway, we are preparing the area for the construction of the southern dive structure. This is where the Morley-Ellenbrook Line dives under Tonkin Highway to connect with the Midland line and Bayswater Station.
Road closure and impact information will be added to the Roadworks section below as details are finalised.
Read more about what's planned in our latest April construction update.
Selby Park
We will soon begin works at Selby Park to build the new loop ramp to Tonkin Highway northbound at Great Eastern Highway.
The first stage of works will be vegetation clearing, starting from Tuesday 20 April to late-May. We are aiming to retain as much vegetation as possible, however, to build the required infrastructure clearing is unavoidable. During the clearing, mulching and removal of topsoil over the coming weeks, there will be an increase in dust. We recommend any pools and backyard furniture be covered where possible. We will minimise the impact of dust as much as possible with water carts.
Temporary fencing will be installed mid-April and in place until November 2022. A portion of the park will remain open for use during construction. In April, you can expect to see changes to the irrigation network, clearing, earthworks starting and removal of topsoil.
Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained through the Great Eastern Highway underpass.
Although Selby Park will be reduced in size, there will be upgraded shared path facilities with improved connectivity, revegetation, and noise walls installed to improve local amenity.
Redcliffe Bridge Construction
Work has started to upgrade Redcliffe Bridge to accommodate eight lanes of traffic and build a new western bridge with two additional lanes. The new bridge over Swan River will be built in-situ on a concrete casting bed and incrementally launched across the Swan River from the south-west side of Redcliffe Bridge during the next 18 months.
We will continue piling works near Redcliffe Bridge throughout April. A total of 52 piles will be made by the piling rig reaching depths of up to 30m each to support the bridge structure. Once the piles are drilled, we can begin filling them with concrete. Concrete can only be poured when the temperature is cooler, this means we may need to start work before 7am.
During construction, the river will always remain open to river users.
For more information, please read our Fact Sheet on the Redcliffe Bridge construction.
Bassendean Road between Mooney St and Rio St, Bayswater
- 7 April to 30 May, 24 hours
- Southbound lane closure
- One way traffic only – northbound, access via Mooney Street
- Service works
Tonkin Highway at Collier Road Interchange
- 19 April, 9am to 3pm, northbound emergency lane intermittent closure
- 20 April, 9am to 3pm, southbound emergency lane intermittent closure
- Vegetation maintenance works
Tonkin Highway between Collier Road and Guildford Road
- Reduced to two lanes in both directions and speed reduced to 80 km/h
- Drivers travelling southbound will merge from the right lane
Tonkin Highway at Reid Highway interchange
- Ongoing from 7am to 7pm each day - excludes Sundays
- Speed reduced to 80 km/h
Tonkin Highway northbound entry from Dunreath Drive
- 21 and 22 April, 8pm to 4am
- Dunreath Drive on-ramp closed,
- Detour via Fauntleroy Ave and Great Eastern Hwy - view detour map
- Barrier installation and line marking
Tonkin Highway northbound exit to Great Eastern Highway
- 22 and 23 April, 8pm to 4am
- Great Eastern Highway off-ramp closed
- Detour via Dunreath Drive and Fauntleroy Ave or at Guildford Rd - view detour map
- Barrier installation and line marking
Tonkin Highway southbound between Hepburn Avenue and Reid Highway
- 20 and 21 April, 6pm to 5am
- Lane closures
- Barrier installation and line marking
Tonkin Highway southbound, north of Marshall Road
- 19 to 23 April, 6pm to 5am
- Lane closures
- Barrier installation
Tonkin Highway southbound between Morley Drive and Broun Avenue
- 19 and 20 April, 8pm to 4am
- Morley Drive on-ramp closed. Detour via Beechboro Rd N, Walter Rd E, Embleton Ave and Collier Rd - view detour map
- Lane closures
- Barrier installation and line marking
Path impacts
Tonkin Highway between Great Eastern Highway and Dunstone Road
- Ongoing until project completion
- Closed. Follow signed detours
- October Construction Notification
Click image to enlarge
Tonkin Highway between Collier Road and Guildford Road
- From 7 April to late 2022
- Closed. Follow signed detours to the western side of Tonkin Highway
Tonkin Highway between Parkview Parade and Victoria Street Footbridge
- From 19 April to late-2023
- Closed. Follow signed detours via Morrison Street.
Click image to enlarge
Guildford Road near Tonkin Highway
- Ongoing until project completion
- Closed. Follow signed detours to the northern side of Guildford Road
Click image to enlarge
We are collaborating with local government, Department of Transport and WestCycle as part of the design process.
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.
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. Once completed, please email to enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au with the subject line ‘Tonkin Gap Sustainability’.
Download the Sustainability Survey
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 of Australia’s (ISCA) 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 ISCA 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 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 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 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 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.
For further information on the UN SDG’s visit online.
We will be engaging with local government, stakeholders, residents and businesses as we progress the detailed design, from mid-2020.
Opportunities to participate in consultation activities will be advertised to our project subscribers. Subscribe to project updates here.
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.
- 2019-20: Planning and development
- 2020-21: Detailed design
- October 2020: Early work activities begin (site preparation and infill works)
- January 2021: Construction begins
- November 2020: Rail-enabling works commence for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line
Project information and updates
- 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)
- Fact Sheet - Redcliffe Bridge Construction - January 2021 - Word document (2.69 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)
- Frequently Asked Questions - PDF (2 MB)
- Project Update - July 2020 - PDF (2.8 MB)
- Project Update - October 2019 - PDF (3.9 MB)
- Noise and Screen Walls Fact Sheet - PDF (707 KB)
Media Statements
- 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).
Alleviate pressure on the transport network
Reduce travel times
Improve safety and connectivity
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Companies who wish to provide goods or services to Tonkin Gap will need to align with our commitments and complete a form below to be considered. A pre-qualification process may be requested following evaluation.
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