$5.7m underground study for Forrestfield-Airport Link
The Forrestfield-Airport Link project moved a step closer this week with the awarding of a contract for further geotechnical studies of the planned route.
The $5.7million contract for a second phase of geotechnical and groundwater investigations went to Golder Associates, with work starting within weeks.
“This is a crucial part of the process to develop a $2billion, State Government-funded public transport connection through the airport to Perth’s eastern foothills,” Transport Minister Dean Nalder said.
The study will allow the Public Transport Authority (PTA) to move forward with further engineering studies.
“They have already carried out preliminary studies to determine the best route and confirm the viability of going underground all the way. This further work will give the project team a more detailed picture of what’s going on below ground,” Mr Nalder said.
“The data will include details about geological and groundwater conditions, possible impacts on nearby facilities and options for reuse of significant quantities of excavated soil. It will allow us to make best-practice decisions as we progress to the scheduled start of construction in 2016.”
The new train line will provide a 20-minute rail trip between Forrestfield and the Perth CBD. The project delivers three new stations - Airport West (Belmont), Consolidated Airport and Forrestfield.
The Minister said the six-month study would allow the PTA to further develop tunnel and station concept designs, liaise with stakeholders and progress approvals.
“All these factors are integral to keeping the project on time,” he said.
Fact File
- The Forrestfield-Airport Link is a $2billion State Government project to open up a new transport corridor to the eastern suburbs and foothills
- Construction starts in 2016; completion is due in 2020
- The new line will spur off the Midland Line near Bayswater and run 8km underground in twin-bored tunnels beneath the Swan River and the airport