Work is officially underway on one of the largest road infrastructure projects ever delivered in Perth’s south-east, with the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade now underway and expected to generate 4,400 jobs for Western Australians.
The $1 billion-plus project will deliver a 14-kilometre extension of Tonkin Highway from Thomas Road to the South Western Highway, along with the duplication of 4.5 kilometres of Thomas Road. The scale of investment reflects the growing demand in the region, which has become one of the fastest-expanding corridors in the state.
Transforming Perth’s south-east
Once complete in late 2028, the extension is expected to carry more than 60,000 vehicles daily, removing thousands of heavy trucks from suburban streets in Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott, and Gosnells.
The works will deliver a series of grade-separated interchanges, underpasses, and roundabouts designed to reduce congestion and improve safety. A new network of shared paths for cyclists and pedestrians is included, while equine crossings — developed in consultation with local riders — acknowledge the semi-rural character of the area.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti commented, “This is a once-in-a-generation project that will transform Perth’s south-east, improve safety, and create thousands of critical jobs for Western Australians.”
“This project forms part of our Government’s strong pipeline of infrastructure investment to grow our economy, create jobs for Western Australians and improve the lives of people across our communities.”
Connecting communities and creating jobs
The project will complement the METRONET Byford Rail Extension, which is scheduled to open on Sunday, October 13, 2025, ensuring locals have a choice of road, rail, cycling, and equestrian connections as the region grows.
In addition to reshaping transport links, the project is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy. Thousands of jobs will be supported across construction and supply chains, with opportunities flagged for local contractors and businesses.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Julie Collins said the works would “not only deliver safer, faster and more efficient connections, but also create thousands of jobs and strong opportunities for local businesses.”
Saffioti added, “Extending Tonkin Highway will be critical to getting the larger, heavy freight off local roads, making them safer for locals but also improving the efficiency of supply chains and the movement of goods around our State.”
What’s next
Early works, including site establishment and traffic realignments, are already underway. Major construction will now accelerate, with large-scale earthworks, bridge structures, and interchanges set to take shape over the coming months.
