Construction began in 1966, with the first section opened between its present western terminus at Carrington Street, Melville (now Palmyra), and High Road in Canning (now Willetton) in 1972.

This marked the final piece of an improved freight link between the Port of Fremantle and Perth's major industrial areas around Kewdale.

Apart from minor modifications, the Leach Highway remained largely unchanged until 2005/2006 when work on projects at Kwinana Freeway and Orrong Road commenced.

In November 2005, the state government announced plans for the construction of a $21 million diamond interchange at the intersection of Leach Highway and Orrong Road in Welshpool.

Alterations to the Kwinana Freeway on and off ramps to Leach Highway have also been undertaken, entailing modifications to the layout of the parclo interchange.

[5] In February 2018, then Federal Opposition transport and infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese pledged to put $46.5 million toward upgrading the Leach Highway and Welshpool Road to a grade-separated interchange if Labor won the upcoming Federal election.

It also included upgrading the bridge over the railway line leading to Armadale and also improving pedestrian access via sidewalks.

Although also grade-separated, the Centenary Avenue interchange is controlled by traffic lights on the westbound side of the highway.