Forrestfield - Airport Link Stage 2 Geotechnical Investigations

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) is currently developing a Project Definition Plan (PDP) for the proposed Forrestfield-Airport Link Project (the Project).

The Project provides improved public transport access for passengers from the surrounding areas as well as for airport passengers and staff working at the airport. The Project proposes a spur rail line from the Bayswater Station/Midland line through to the eastern suburb of Forrestfield. Its alignment will generally follow along Tonkin Highway and then deviate towards Perth Airport where it will run beneath the airport surfacing to the east.

Planning for a commuter rail airport link has been identified in the State’s strategic transport and planning policies, including “Directions 2031: Mapping Out The Future For Perth’s Public Transport Network”. The Project will be a feature of the soon to be released “In Motion: A 20 Year Public Transport Plan For Perth and Peel”. With increasing take up of public transport usage in metropolitan Perth, there is now a need to implement a rail solution that improves public transport connectivity to and from the Perth Airport, the eastern suburbs and regional centres.

The Forrestfield rail passenger demand is expected to provide the majority of the demand for the service. A terminus station at Forrestfield, east of the airport, will add significant public transport capacity to the Shire of Kalamunda and surrounding catchment area allowing for a 20 minute rail journey to Perth CBD. Other stations will be located at the Consolidated Airport Terminal and at Airport West. Adjacent to a residential area, the Airport West station will serve both the airport Business Park and the City of Belmont.

The purpose of this commission is to undertake field and laboratory geotechnical, hydrogeological and geophysical investigations to enable development of a detailed factual and interpretative geotechnical report.

The information obtained from the investigation will reduce uncertainty currently surrounding ground conditions along the project alignment. Ultimately, the deliverables from this commission will inform tenderers and the successful contractor of the geology, hydrogeology, geotechnical and groundwater conditions and implications for design, construction and maintenance of the Project.

A detailed Scope of Works for Stage 2 – Geotechnical Investigations is available in Book4 of this RFT.