Public Transport Authority

Case Study: Forrestfield-Airport Link PDP

A dedicated project team was established under the IPLS and Major Projects umbrella to prepare a detailed Project Definition Plan by July 2014.

Preparation of the PDP supports the State Government’s promise before the 2013 State election to build a direct link to the domestic and international airport terminals and for the residents east of the airport by 2018, and to provide 3000 new car bays for commuters using the new link.

The PDP was completed on time and submitted to the State Government. It included a well-defined scope of work which formed the basis of a cost estimate. The preparation and conduct of the PDP drew heavily on the PTA’s considerable experience in planning and constructing major projects, including the New MetroRail Project, the recently-completed Perth City Link Rail Project, and the soon-to-be completed Butler Extension Project.

The Forrestfield-Airport Link PDP included a rigorous assessment of patronage demand, train operations to service the patronage, route options, geotechnical conditions along the route(s), engineering requirements, optimal station locations and requirements, integration with airport infrastructure and associated engineering, the preparation of detailed concept designs of railway alignments and stations precincts, assessment of risks, and liaison with key stakeholders.

The work involved in preparing the PDP showed that – to satisfy the requirements of demand, environmental and planning approvals, stakeholder inclusion, engineering and construction – it was unlikely that the line would be operational before 2020. It could be assumed that major contract(s) to implement the works could be awarded in 2016, leading to final completion and commissioning of services in 2020.

• More than 100,000 students have participated in Right Track program
• 165,137km travelled by School Bus Services on an average school day