Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leach Highway and Welshpool Road interchange in my electorate of Swan is one of the most dangerous intersections in Perth. Major works to improve safety and congestion are now underway. Between 2015 and 2019 there were 224 crashes, 204 of which were rear-end collisions. This project will cost $136 million in total, and the Morrison government has contributed $68 million in support. It is anticipated to be completed in early 2023 and will create up to 600 jobs. Construction will be completed by the Leach Welshpool Alliance, which is a consortium of Australian owned local contractors—Georgiou Group, BG&E and Golder Associates.

This upgrade is at the second most congested intersection in Western Australia. The project will deliver a new bridge taking Leach Highway over Welshpool Road, a new roundabout at the intersection and a duplication of the existing Leach Highway bridge. This new design is expected to improve traffic flow by easing pressure on the local roads network and it will reduce peak travel times. In conjunction with the removal of the railway level crossings in the area, this is a massive win for my electorate of Swan.

The coalition government has committed over $2 billion worth of infrastructure projects across Swan since 2013. This project is part of the Morrison government's recovery for our economy and will help Western Australians to get home more safely and sooner, as part of our congestion-busting infrastructure.