The METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link project in Perth’s east reached a new milestone on Friday as the last piece of track was laid on the line.
More than 27,000 sleepers and 2,400 tonnes of Australian-made steel were used to install more than 16 kilometres of track from Bayswater Junction to High Wycombe Station.
The Forrestfield-Airport Link is a $1.86 billion project jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments, which will provide the wider Perth area with an 8.5-kilometer, three station railway spur connected to the Midland Line near Bayswater Station.
In April 2016, the Public Transport Authority awarded the design, construct and maintenance contract to Salini Impregilo – NRW Joint Venture.
The three new stations – Redcliffe Station, Airport Central and high Wycombe – will support the economy as well as tourism for the Perth area.
Work is still continuing on the installation of the overhead conductor rail (OCR) and overhead line equipment (OLE).
Installation of the OCR is underway in tow tunnels, with all surfaces OLE structures now in place at Bayswater junction and High Wycombe.
Construction has also been completed on the 1,200-bay, three level car park at High Wycombe.
The station itself is also nearing completion, with finishing touches underway including landscaping, installation of seating, bike racks and signage, plus roadworks within the station precinct.
All three stations will be open when the line becomes operational in the first half of 2022.
WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti said the compeltion of track-laying was a major milestone for the project.
Amazing progress is also being made at the three new stations – including High Wycombe – which are all on the home stretch of construction,” she said.
“Our government has eight METRONET projects currently under construction, with one project – the Bellevue Railcar Facility – recently completed.”
Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said the project would help to support the Perth commute.
“When complete, the Forrestfield-Airport Link will mean local residents can travel to Redcliffe, the Airport and Bayswater directly and vice versa, opening up new opportunities,” he said.
The project is expected to generate 20,000 passenger trips per day, increasing to 29,000 daily by 2032.
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