Leighton awarded $124m road contract in Australia

Leighton Contractors has been selected by Main Roads Western Australia to deliver a 6km extension of the Mitchell Freeway in Perth’s north-west corridor. 

The US$124m Mitchell Freeway Extension between the suburbs of Joondalup and Clarkson, will improve access and travel time to the northern outskirts of Perth, facilitating residential and business development and employment opportunities in the area. 

The extension will consist of two lanes in each direction, with the capacity to add a third in the future. North and southbound carriageways will be constructed on either side of the northern suburbs railway line. 

Fernández Verdes, Leighton’s chief executive, said: "This award points to a strong pipeline of work ahead over the mid to long term as governments across Australia continue investing in urban infrastructure programmes. 

"Delivering new and upgraded transport infrastructure is a core capability for the Leighton Group." 

Detailed design work will commence this month and construction is expected to begin this year. It is due to be completed in 2017.  

At its peak, project construction will provide employment for about 244 people.  

Australian authorities recently approved China Communications’ $880m takeover of Leighton subsidiary John Holland.

Image: The Mitchell Freeway at night (Wikimedia Commons)