Welshpool Road Duplication

The City of Canning has commenced Stage 2 service relocation works for the Welshpool Road Duplication Project in consultation with power and communications service providers.

These works are being undertaken within the existing road reserve and are scheduled from approximately 7 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. At the same time, the City is progressing procurement by advertising the Stage 3 road construction tender. While the Stage 2 works are expected to result in minimal disruption to traffic flow and property access along Welshpool Road, some minor impacts may occur during construction.

Project Focus and Intended Benefits:

• Upgrade Welshpool Road to a four-lane divided dual carriageway by reconstructing the existing road, relocating essential services, and improving pedestrian, cyclist, and lighting infrastructure.

• Improve road safety, traffic flow, and access to surrounding developments while supporting future growth and enhancing connectivity for all road users.

Project Background

The Welshpool Road Duplication project involves reconstructing the existing road and upgrading it to a dual carriageway to improve safety and access for surrounding developments, including the Sam Kerr Football Centre and 33-37 Murray Road. The project includes a landscaped median with pedestrian and cyclist refuges at intersections, upgraded double outreach lighting along the median to replace existing lighting, and widened verges to accommodate a shared path on the southern side, completing the link between McDowell Street and Wharf Street. These upgrades aim to improve safety and reduce crash frequency and severity along the corridor. This project is being funded two-thirds through Main Roads WA’s Metropolitan Regional Road Group (MRRG) Road Improvement Program.

Project Scope

The primary objectives of the project are to improve road safety, increase capacity, and enhance access for current and future developments along this key corridor. Specific outcomes to be achieved include:

Pavement Reconstruction
The existing pavement has deteriorated in several areas and requires full reconstruction to ensure long-term structural integrity and performance.

Dual Carriageway Upgrade
The road will be upgraded to a dual carriageway to support improved traffic flow and provide safer, more efficient access to adjacent developments on both sides of the road.

Access to Key Developments
The design will optimise access to key sites, including the Sam Kerr Football Centre and the 33–37 Murray Road development site, which are significant regional assets.

Safety Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists
A new 6-metre-wide landscaped median will be constructed, incorporating pedestrian and cyclist refuges with a minimum width of 2.5 metres at intersections to enhance safety for active transport users.

Lighting Upgrade
The existing lighting infrastructure is limited and inconsistent, with poles primarily located on the northern side of the road. The project includes the installation of double outreach lighting along the new median to improve visibility and safety.

Shared Path Connectivity
Verge widening along the southern side of the corridor will enable the installation of a shared path, completing a missing link in the local active transport network between McDowell Street and Wharf Street.

Crash Reduction
The project aims to reduce both the frequency and severity of crashes along this corridor, which recorded 25 crashes between 2018 and 2022 (Furnace Road to McDowell Street).

This project aligns with the following strategic objectives:

• Metropolitan Regional Road Group – Road Improvement Program
• City of Canning Integrated Transport Strategy
• City of Canning Land Utilisation Plan 2021–2025

Project timeline