Laing O’Rourke starts work on $310m road through Australian outback

Construction work on a major road that will improve freight links and free up congested roads in Western Australia will begin this month.

Great Northern Connect, a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and BGC Contracting, will deliver the US$310m NorthLink WA central section for Main Roads Western Australia.

Stretching from northern Perth to Muchea, the completed NorthLink WA will shift heavy traffic away from the Swan Valley tourist region, reduce the number of goods vehicles on the Great Northern Highway and improve freight links to the port at Fremantle. 

Completing the 20km stretch of dual-lane freeway between Reid Highway and Ellenbrook involves building 16 road bridges, three footbridges as well as cycle and pedestrian facilities.  

The whole route sits on sandy ground, with 90% of it passing through bush – presenting a logistical challenge. Among the materials to be delivered to are 2.5 million cubic tonnes of foundation ballast, 80,000 sq m of precast concrete noise barriers up to 5.5m high, which will run for 13km, and more than two million shrubs and trees to be planted along the course of the road.

At the peak of construction, 450 operatives and staff will be involved, including a five-strong environmental team and three people to handle community engagement.

The project is due to be completed in September 2019.

Images courtesy of Laing O’Rourke