Preferred respondent selected for Forrestfield-Airport Link
THE West Australian Government last week announced that an unincorporated joint venture, comprising Salini Impregilo S.p.A. and NRW Pty Ltd, has been selected as the preferred respondent to deliver the main works for the Forrestfield-Airport Link.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said negotiations to finalise the contract by May 2016 would now begin between Salini Impregilo – NRW Joint Venture (SI-NRW JV) and the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.
The proposed $2 billion-dollar-plus Forrestfield-Airport Link will branch off the existing Midland line near Bayswater and run underground for eight kilometres in twin-bored tunnels beneath the Swan River and Perth Airport, with three new stations – Airport West (Belmont), Consolidated Airport and Forrestfield.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for a project that will change the way the people of Perth, and in particular Perth’s eastern foothills, travel to our city,” Mr Nalder said.
Last year, State Parliament passed the Railway (Forrestfield-Airport Link) Bill 2015 and, at the Forrestfield station site, forward works for service relocations have been under way since December 2015.
“The State Government has a proud track record of investing in important transport infrastructure projects and I look forward to another eventful year on this landmark project,” the Minister said.
The two other proponents shortlisted for the project were Forrestfield Connect (ACCIONA Infrastructure, BAM International and Ferrovial Agroman) and JHL JV (John Holland and Leighton Contractors).
The Forrestfield-Airport Link is due to open in 2020.
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 22 February, 2015