Traffic on Tonkin Highway has been redirected under Collier Road, meaning motorists can now travel from Perth Airport to Reid Highway without encountering a traffic light.
The move is a significant step for the NorthLink WA project’s southern section, which is nearing completion.
Two temporary roundabouts on Collier Road – with one lane of traffic in each direction – will be in place until February when traffic signals are commissioned at the Collier Road interchange.
Traffic on Morley Drive will continue travelling through two roundabouts during construction of the permanent roundabout, which is also expected to be completed in February.
Beams were installed in December for the first bridge in the Reid/Tonkin interchange. The new bridge will form part of the final Reid Highway alignment, taking vehicles over Tonkin Highway as part of WA’s first and biggest freeway-to-freeway interchange.
In coming months, changes will be made to the Beechboro Road North/Reid Highway intersection, with a temporary roundabout replacing the traffic signals to enable work to start on the Beechboro Road North overpass.
There will also be changes at the Reid Highway/Tonkin Highway intersection, again with a temporary roundabout replacing traffic signals. This will provide access to construct the new southbound onramp from Reid to Tonkin highways.
Meanwhile, work on the northern section from Ellenbrook to Muchea is progressing well with clearing almost complete and earthworks underway.
The NorthLink WA initiative is jointly funded by the Federal ($821 million) and State ($204 million) governments.
Completion of the entire NorthLink WA project is expected in 2019.