> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.carexplore.com.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # WA's Biggest Highway Gets $1 Billion Dollars - URL: https://www.carexplore.com.au/was-biggest-highway-gets-1-billion-dollars/ - Published: 2025-03-23T11:38:06.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-24T11:04:14.000Z - Description: $1B Tonkin Highway and Thomas Road upgrades set to transform WA’s south-east, easing congestion, boosting safety, and creating 4,400+ jobs. - Author: Dylan Anderson - Tags: Car News, Western Australia A major milestone has been reached for one of [Western Australia’s](https://www.carexplore.com.au/tag/western-australia/) largest infrastructure projects, with a $1 billion contract awarded for the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade. The **Tonkin Extension Alliance**, a powerhouse consortium made up of **BMD, Civcon Civil and Project Management, Georgiou Group, BG&E, and GHD**, has secured the contract to deliver the transformative works. Construction is expected to begin in **mid-2025**, with **project completion anticipated by late 2028**. [WA’s Speed Limit Trial: A Life-Saving Move or Overreach?WA launches a bold speed limit trial on 550+ regional roads to curb road fatalities. Is this a life-saving move or an overreach? Find out more.![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/icon/CarExplore-Favicon-1474.ico)CarExploreDylan Anderson![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/thumbnail/WA-Speed-Limit-Drops-3.webp)](https://www.carexplore.com.au/was-speed-limit-trial-a-life-saving-move-or-overreach/) ## What’s Included in the Tonkin Highway Extension The 14-kilometre Tonkin Highway Extension will link **Thomas Road** to **South Western Highway**, forming a modern, high-capacity transport route through Perth's south-eastern corridor. The upgrade includes: - A four-lane dual carriageway across the full extension - A Principal Shared Path (PSP) on the eastern side for cyclists and pedestrians - Grade-separated interchanges at key intersections - Five underpasses at two major grade-separated locations - Roundabouts at Orton, Mundijong, and South Western Highway - Overpasses for foot and equine traffic - New bridges over freight rail and road corridors - Noise walls and road lighting for safety and amenity - Improved local road connections and emergency access points Once complete, Tonkin Highway will support **two lanes in each direction** with a **posted speed of 100km/h**. ## What’s Planned for Thomas Road Complementing the highway extension is a $290 million upgrade to Thomas Road, which will see: - Duplication of 4.5km between Kargotich Road and South Western Highway - A new grade-separated interchange with Tonkin Highway - 4.5km of new shared path on the southern side - A signalised equine crossing connecting bridle paths - Intersection upgrades including: - New roundabouts at Kardan Boulevard and Masters Road - New traffic signals at Plaistowe Boulevard - Left in/left out restrictions at Ballak Place and Briggs Road - Cul-de-sacs at Hopkinson Road (north and south) - Realignment of the local equine path network Upon completion, the upgraded road will be a **dual carriageway with a 70km/h speed limit**. [WA’s AI Speed Cameras Hit Roads NowWA’s AI cameras catch phone use and speeding from 2025\. Fines hit April. Stay safe or pay![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/icon/CarExplore-Favicon-1475.ico)CarExploreDylan Anderson![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/thumbnail/Perth-Speed-Camera-Map-1-2.webp)](https://www.carexplore.com.au/was-ai-spcameras-hit-roads-now/) ## Boost for Freight, Safety, and Local Jobs The full project aims to **remove heavy freight traffic** from congested suburban roads, easing pressure for areas such as **Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott, and Gosnells**. It will also: - Improve freight efficiency and safety - Provide quicker access to major transport routes - Create approximately **4,400 direct and indirect jobs** ## Government Officials Back the Project **WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti** said the project would be "a game-changer" for communities in the south. > “This extension complements METRONET’s Byford Rail Extension and other safety improvements in the area, ensuring better access to our transport network for communities in the south,” she said. **Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King** added: > "This is a major investment that will reduce travel times, ease traffic congestion, and improve safety for all road users." [Tesla Vandal Caught on Camera at QLD Shopping CentreTesla’s Sentry Mode captures deliberate vandalism at QLD shopping centre, raising concerns about vehicle security in public spaces.![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/icon/CarExplore-Favicon-1476.ico)CarExploreDylan Anderson![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/thumbnail/Tesla-Keyed-QLD-Springfield--2-36.png)](https://www.carexplore.com.au/tesla-vandal-caught-on-camera-at-qld-shopping-centre/) ## Federal and State Funding The $755 million Tonkin Highway Extension is jointly funded by the **Australian Government ($604 million)** and the **Western Australian Government ($151 million)**. The Thomas Road Upgrade is allocated **$290 million**, forming a total investment of **$1.045 billion**. ## A Safer, Faster Future for Perth’s South East This major upgrade reflects Western Australia’s long-term vision to accommodate population growth, reduce road trauma, and enhance freight reliability. As construction gears up in 2025, the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade will pave the way for faster, safer, and more connected travel across the state’s rapidly expanding south-east corridor. --- [WA’s New Smart Freeway Now LivePerth’s new Smart Freeway goes live on December 22, using real-time data to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety.![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/icon/CarExplore-Favicon-1472.ico)CarExploreDylan Anderson![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/thumbnail/Smart-Freeway-WA.webp)](https://www.carexplore.com.au/was-new-smart-freeway-now-live/) [WA’s New Safety Cameras Now Active for DriversNew high-tech safety cameras will hit WA roads in 2025, detecting mobile phone use, seatbelt violations, and speeding to improve road safety.![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/icon/CarExplore-Favicon-1473.ico)CarExploreDylan Anderson![](https://www.carexplore.com.au/content/images/thumbnail/WA-Speed-Cameras-1.webp)](https://www.carexplore.com.au/was-new-safety-cameras-now-active-for-drivers/)