PROJECT UPDATE JANUARY 2021

Tonkin Extension to

We are extending from Thomas Road to South Western Highway south-east of Mundijong, creating a high standard north-south transport link in ’s south-eastern corridor. The project is jointly funded by Extensive planning and development work is well underway to the Australian ($404 million) and confirm the scope, and progress various approvals to allow for Western Australian ($101 million) road construction. Procurement is also underway, along with Governments. industry engagement.

Geotechnical works, site investigations, •• likely growth and redistribution of Connectivity and accessibility groundwater modelling, traffic and noise traffic to the Tonkin Highway Extension; As part of the project’s development, an modelling assessments, and stakeholder and access and connectivity strategy is being consultation are underway. The urban •• future performance of the proposed prepared to identify opportunities and design and landscape framework is also highway intersection treatments. constraints to enable movement of all progressing. traffic modes (vehicle, equestrian, cyclists Heavy vehicle inspection bays, similar to and pedestrians) on local roads adjacent All this work will inform the detailed those on the existing highway between to the highway. project scope, which is expected to be Rowley Road and Thomas Road in finalised during 2021, in conjunction with Oakford, are also being considered The strategy will consider: procurement. between Bishop Road and Orton Road. •• retaining existing access where Heavy vehicle inspection bays on the road Traffic modelling possible; network allow operators to check loads •• provision of alternate access where the The results from recent traffic monitoring and inspectors to assess compliance of existing is impacted; activities have been loaded into traffic heavy vehicles in a safe manner. models in order to assess the: •• the importance of east/west Environmental assessment Freight rail realignment planning connection for the local network and State environmental approvals have study community; and been obtained for the Tonkin Highway A planning study was undertaken in •• investigation of key connections such Extension project under the Environmental 2020 to determine a rail corridor and the as Hopkinson Road around Jersey Protection Act. Federal environmental feasibility of including the construction Road, , Thomas Road, approvals are now being sought. of a proposed realignment of Kwinana Orton Road and Gossage Road. South Western freight rail line through The project is currently being assessed Mundijong and as part of the A draft strategy is expected to be by the under the completed in mid-2021. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Tonkin Highway Extension project. Conservation Act. In response to requests The study highlighted the significance New technologies for additional information from the a future rail corridor will have for local As part of achieving sustainable Australian Government, Main Roads is landholders and the environment. infrastructure outcomes, Main Roads is undertaking the collection and analysis of As a result, it was determined that in discussions with Alcoa to investigate biological data. further planning for a future freight the possibility of using red sand, which It is anticipated that the additional rail realignment corridor should not be is a by-product of the alumina refinery information will be available for public expedited and should be undertaken in process, for use on the embankments and review and comment in the second full consultation with the community. as a sub-grade material for the highway. quarter of 2021, with the outcome of the Further information about community Testing is currently underway to confirm assessment expected in the third quarter consultation, timing and delivery of the whether the sand complies with Main of 2021. rail realignment will become available in Roads specifications. the coming months.

Timeline: Tonkin Highway Extension

Traffic modelling and local network analysis, In progress Urban Design and Landscape Strategy, Connectivity and Access Strategy Project development In progress Procurement to commence Early 2021 Environmental assessment public comment Early/Mid 2021 period Contract award Late 2021 Detailed design and construction Early 2022 Construction completed 2024

The Tonkin Highway Extension project is one of a number of projects being delivered by Main Roads in the local area. For more information or to subscibe for Project Updates, visit the Main Roads website at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au and search for Tonkin Highway Extension, Thomas Road Safety Improvement and Thomas Road over Rail project.

This document can be provided in alternative formats upon request