July 18th, 2023Mitchell Freeway extension to Alkimos now complete
The $232 million extension of the Mitchell Freeway to Alkimos has been officially opened in a ceremony in recent days (July 9), with commuters now able to use the new section of road.
The project has extended the Mitchell Freeway 5.6 kilometres north from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road, creating a new, high-standard, north-south transport link in Perth’s northwest, including new freeway access points at Lukin Drive, Butler Boulevard and Romeo Road.
The extension and new interchanges will significantly improve access and reduce congestion for people living in Perth’s northern suburbs, and ease pressure on the Hester Avenue/Mitchell Freeway interchange – the northernmost on and off-ramp for the Mitchell Freeway.
The project is the first in a suite of road, rail and cycling improvements to be completed to support the expansion and growth of Perth’s rapidly growing northern corridor, including the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension.
Collaboration with METRONET has seen the construction of Romeo Road, the new east-west road link from Wanneroo Road to Marmion Avenue. This includes a new bridge over rail on Romeo Road constructed as part of the Yanchep Rail Extension.
The project also used 560,000 cubic metres of surplus material from the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension.
The project includes impressive public art on two underpasses and two bridge abutments, designed by school children, an Aboriginal artist and local Perth artists, giving the project a lasting legacy in the community.
The project supported around 1,200 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and was jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government, with each contributing $116 million.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King: “The Australian Government is pleased to be partnering with the Western Australian Government in this project to build the Mitchell Freeway Extension and new interchanges which will make travelling in northern Perth smoother, faster and safer.
“The Mitchell Freeway Extension will reduce congestion and improve journey times for Perth road users, and provide enhanced connectivity to Perth’s northern suburbs including Yanchep, Butler, Alkimos and Eglinton.”
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: “This was one of our fast-tracked projects as part of a State Government infrastructure initiative to boost the economy post COVID-19.
