WA Government calls for EOI’s deliver $2bn-plus Forrestfield-Airport Link
Plans for a new rail line to Perth’s eastern suburbs via Perth Airport have reached another milestone after the Western Australian Government last week called for Expressions of Interest from the private sector for the design and construction of the project.
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.
The start of the EOI process follows an industry briefing in November last year to more than 200 representatives from local and international construction companies.
“It was clear from the level of interest in the briefing that the attendees recognised the ground-breaking nature of this project. The State Government is now ready to invite industry to show us their readiness to build Perth’s newest rail line,” Transport Minister Dean Nalder said.
The contract will be awarded as a single design and construct package, which will include tunnel and civil infrastructure, track, stations and rail systems, including signalling, communications and power. It is due to be awarded next year.
“Once the EOI period is complete, the Public Transport Authority will select a short-list of companies – either as an individual company or in consortia – and invite them to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP),” the Minister said.
“The RFP will provide us with all the information we need to select the best company for the job by mid-2016, so construction can begin later that year.”
It is expected that the project will be completed in 2020.
More information is available from the Forrestfield-Airport Link website.
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 3rd February, 2015