The $1.176 billion contract to design, construct and maintain the new Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth has been awarded.
The contract to deliver the main package of works on the project has been awarded to a joint venture between Italian company Salini Impregilo and local company NRW Pty Ltd (SINRW).
The joint venture first entered into negotiations with the Public Transport Authority in February 2016.
WA Premier Colin Barnett confirmed a recent $490 million payment from the Australian Government to the State would go towards the project.
“SINRW are contracted to build the eight kilometres of rail tunnels and three stations for the Forrestfield Line, as well as maintenance of the tunnel and civil structures for 10 years after completion,” Mr Barnett said.
“This is a huge milestone on the path to delivering this project, which will change the face of Perth’s eastern corridor and give people direct access to the airport by public transport.
“It’s the biggest expansion of the city’s rail system since the Mandurah rail line was completed.”
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said early work, worth $370 million, was already underway for the construction of the Forrestfield Airport Line, including geotechnical work, contract management and land purchases.
“Various forward works have been underway at Forrestfield since November 2015 and I expect the joint venture to mobilise on site in the coming months. The project’s direct employment is expected to peak at about 600 workers,” Mr Nalder said.
Two of the stations on the Forrestfield-Airport Link have been renamed – Belmont (formerly Airport West) and Airport Central (formerly Consolidated Airport) – to more accurately reflect their purpose and locations.
The rail line will be tunnelled underground from a junction near Bayswater Station, under the Swan River and the airport, and out to Forrestfield.
Trains are expected to begin operating on the line in 2020, linking the city to the airport and to Forrestfield.
