$700 Million Kwinana Freeway Upgrade Greenlit to Bust Southern Suburbs Congestion
With extra lanes and 4,000 jobs on the horizon, the $700 million Kwinana Freeway upgrade promises major relief for 100,000 daily southern suburbs commuters.
Wade McColl (27/07/2026)
View of the Kwinana Freeway from the sky. Photo: Roger Cook/Facebook
A massive $700 million infrastructure project has officially been confirmed to widen the Kwinana Freeway, bringing long-awaited relief to the more than 100,000 drivers who battle the southern commute every single day. The joint State and Federal Government initiative will add vital new lanes and smart technology between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road. The announcement comes with a touch of irony for local residents, as it arrives not long after Premier Roger Cook moved out of his Wellard home, citing the grueling Kwinana Freeway traffic as his primary reason for relocating to West Perth.
What Are The Upgrades?
Roger Cook Premier of Western Australia looks at plans for the Kwinana Freeway Expansion. Photo: Roger Cook/Facebook.
The highly anticipated project will stretch across 29 kilometres of the freeway and is designed to cut down the estimated 15 minute peak hour delays currently frustrating local drivers.
Key additions to the freeway include:
A brand new lane in each direction along the 11 kilometre stretch between Russell Road and Mortimer Road.
A new southbound lane connecting Roe Highway and Berrigan Drive.
A new northbound lane from Russell Road to Beeliar Drive.
The installation of 42 kilometres of coordinated ramp signals between Safety Bay Road and Roe Highway to smooth traffic flow during peak periods.
Major safety upgrades, including new median and verge barriers, as well as a specific barrier to prevent vehicles from entering the train tracks.
The Premier’s Commute
The widening of the freeway was a key election commitment for WA Labor, heavily championed by Premier Roger Cook in his Kwinana electorate. However, the $700 million fix comes shortly after the Premier confirmed he and his wife are renting out their local property to move closer to Parliament House.
Cook, who campaigned as the "Dad from Kwinana," stated the move would allow him to commit fully to his role without spending hours stuck in traffic. The timing has not gone unnoticed by the local community. Responding to the freeway upgrade news, local resident Craig cheekily asked, "Does that mean that you're moving back to Wellard when it's finished?"
Construction and Local Impact
Premier Roger Cook alongside members of the Labor Government. Photo: Roger Cook/Facebook.
A consortium comprising CPB Contractors, McConnell Dowell Constructors, Arup Australia Projects, and Jacobs Group has been appointed as the preferred proponent. Detailed design work will be undertaken in the second half of this year, with construction expected to commence in early 2027.
The massive project is expected to create over 4,180 jobs, providing a significant boost to local businesses and the economy. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti acknowledged that building additional lanes on an active freeway is difficult and apologized in advance for the inevitable inconvenience. However, she assured commuters that existing traffic lanes would remain accessible throughout the construction period, utilizing on-site technology and rapid incident response teams to clear breakdowns quickly.
With construction set to take approximately two years, the southern suburbs will need to endure a bit more pain before enjoying the smoother run into the city.