WA Forrestfield-Airport link tunnel boring machines expected to meet soon

WA’s blueprint for reducing road congestion and connecting the suburbs, METRONET, is on track as the Forrestfield-Airport Link tunnel comes closer to completion.

Two tunnel boring machines (TBM) have covered a total of 2.5 kilometres of underground tunnel and are expected to link in the coming months.

The TBMs have been tunnelling since mid 2017, and on average cover 26 metres a day.

As they progress, 54,000 concrete segments will be installed to create the tunnel walls.

The completion of the tunnel will create a 20-minute direct link between the eastern foothills and central business district, via the airport.

The project is funded by both the State and Federal Governments.

WA premier Mark McGowan said the project is key to connecting Perth’s suburbs and ease congestion.

“METRONET will provide an innovative public transport system that will invigorate communities and create thousands of local WA jobs,” he said.

“We are committed to delivering on our election commitment to create more WA jobs and a rolling stock strategy to grow our State’s capacity to build METRONET railcars locally.”

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the project will provide a new option for the community and create a wider public transport network.

“The METRONET team has been planning land use opportunities around Forrestfield and Redcliffe Station to create well-connected communities within the station precincts,” she said.

“The next major milestone will be when the first TBM reaches Airport Central Station in the next month or so.”