Work on the Mitchell Freeway’s A$261.4m extension in Western Australia has started six months earlier than scheduled, as part of efforts to tackle traffic in Perth.

Carried out as part of the Australian Government’s special A$499.1m funding commitment to Western Australia, the project will see the increasingly congested freeway get an additional 6km from Burns Beach Road in Joondalup to Hester Avenue in Clarkson.

The government will provide A$209.1m, while the remaining A$52.3m will be funded by the Western Australian Government.

Apart from the 6km of dual-lane freeway, the project will also include an extra lane each way when required.

"Our focus is on providing people with a choice of travel so they can get to work, home and other destinations."

Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss said: "It will allow for continued commercial and residential growth in Perth’s northern suburbs and support the state’s economy more broadly, including the creation of more than 100 jobs at the peak of construction."

Leighton Contractors will be responsible for designing and building the freeway extension as part of the A$160m contract awarded in April, with construction scheduled to be completed in mid-2017.

Western Australian Minister for Transport Dean Nalder said: "Investing in the state’s road network was essential for continued growth in WA’s economy.

"Our focus is on providing people with a choice of travel so they can get to work, home and other destinations.

"The state government is investing heavily in roads, public transport and cycle paths as part of a coordinated approach to transport planning.

"Residents will see a significantly different road through the extensive upgrades, with the new section to provide a more direct route to Perth’s northern suburbs and relieve traffic buildup on nearby roads."