Planning for Forrestfield-Airport Link began in 2008, with discussions around how the suburban rail network could best be connected to Perth’s growing eastern suburbs. Key to the success of the new rail line will be the route the railway will take. To determine that route, it was necessary to think about the future of the city — population growth patterns, projected demand, economic and development plans already in place, and the potential to stimulate activity through well-placed infrastructure.

A detailed assessment process determined the most appropriate station locations, the catchments that will be served, the most efficient way to connect those catchments to the Perth CBD, and the capacity for future extension of the line.

Ultimately, it was decided the most appropriate rail route would be through underground tunnels that would run from Bayswater Station on the Midland Line along Tonkin Highway and Brearley Avenue through the Perth Airport Estate and on to High Wycombe.

The project was launched in August 2014 following approval from the State Government. To find out more, view the Project Definition Plan (9.24MB).

In April 2016 Salini Impregilo-NRW Joint Venture (SI-NRW) were awarded the $1.176 billion contract for design, construction and a ten year maintenance period.

To find out more about the project, view the project overview fact sheet.