A safe and efficient freight road network is a key component of the Westport Program and is critical to the success and efficiency of WA’s future supply chain.
Planning is underway to ensure the required road and rail infrastructure will be ready to support the construction and operations of the proposed new port facilities in Kwinana.
In the short term, the identified freight route for containers travelling from the proposed port facilities in Kwinana to the freight and logistics hubs in Perth’s north-east will be via Anketell Road, Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway.
Each of these roads will require upgrades and this planning is being led by Main Roads.
Ultimately, the proposed Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor will connect the port in Kwinana with Tonkin Highway in Oakford.
Westport has also planned duplication of the rail freight network to get more containers off our roads and onto rail.
Westport’s roads program
Anketell Road Upgrades
Anketell Road provides access to the industrial precincts in Rockingham, Kwinana, Naval Base and Henderson. It will require significant upgrades to meet future traffic demand to this key economic area, regardless of Westport, but is also critical to support future container freight from the new port.
The timing for upgrading Anketell Road is now linked to the development of Westport.
The proposed upgrades to Anketell Road include widening to 4 lanes between Leath Road and the Kwinana Freeway, which will improve access to the Kwinana Industrial Area and facilitate construction of the port facilities and future operations.
The proposed upgrades also include new interchanges at Armstrong Road and Rockingham Road, as well as intersection upgrades at Mandogalup Road, McLaughlan Road (to left in and left out), Abercrombie Road and Leath Road.
Kwinana Freeway Upgrades
The Kwinana Freeway is also proposed to be upgraded between Thomas Road and Roe Highway. An additional lane is proposed on some sections both northbound and southbound. The new lanes will alleviate existing congestion for commuters and industry and improve connectivity to freight and logistic hubs in Perth’s north-east.
Project Status
The planning for Anketell Road and Kwinana Freeway upgrades has progressed to the ‘definition’ stage. This involves further design, approvals and capital procurement planning, along with confirming the project’s scope, cost and schedule.
While there is currently no schedule or funding for construction, the definition work will progress these upgrades to be ready for construction pending a Government investment decision.
Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor
The Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor (ATRFC) is the long-term plan for a future freight corridor connecting the new port facilities in Kwinana with Tonkin Highway in Oakford.
An early concept design for the freight corridor was released for consultation in March 2022, which enabled early discussions with the community, and local property owners within the proposed area.
View the early concept design fly-through and fact sheet.
Planning Control Areas
Planning control areas (PCAs) are now in place to ensure land is protected for the future road network.
The Minister for Planning approved PCA 182 on 9 July 2024 to protect the land required for the proposed road and rail connections between Rockingham Road to Clementi Road.
PCAs were also endorsed in March 2023 to protect the land required for the future Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor.
Detail and maps of the PCAs can be viewed here.
For further information about PCAs please contact the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage via info@dplh.wa.gov.au or 6551 8002.
The proposed upgrade to Anketell Road has been referred to both the State and Federal environmental regulators for environmental impact assessment. To learn more visit Main Roads.