NorthLink
The 37km-long NorthLink WA road project will improve journey times between Morley and Muchea. Credit: David Mark from Pixabay.

The Government of Western Australia has officially completed and opened the A$1.02 ($650m) NorthLink WA road project.

The 37km-long highway, regarded as the biggest road project in the state, will improve journey times between Morley and Muchea.

In addition, the project will enable motorists from Kewdale to Muchea to avoid up to 16 sets of traffic lights, two railway crossings and 21 speed limit changes.

The final 22km-long section of the project between Ellenbrook and Muchea will also transform traffic movement from the state’s north to the capital city of Perth.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “NorthLink WA has also supported around 7,000 direct and indirect jobs for Western Australians throughout its construction.”

The project was jointly funded by the state and federal governments. The Australian Government provided A$820.84m ($521.16m) towards the project while the Western Australian Government contributed the remaining A$204.06m ($129.5m).

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said: “So many areas of Perth will benefit, for example it will divert 80% of heavy vehicles away from local roads and improving connection throughout the Swan Valley for residents and the 600,000 tourists visiting the area each year.”

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan noted that the state government has several projects lined up for the north-eastern suburbs of Perth to mitigate congestion. It includes multiple major road upgrade works and building the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line.

McGowan added: “These are vital job-creating projects that will ensure Western Australia is well-placed to respond in the economic recovery stage of the pandemic.”