Design, construction and consulting group Golder Associates has been awarded a $5.7 million contract for the second phase of geotechnical studies for the planned Forrestfield Airport Link rail tunnel.
Work will start within weeks on the study, which is intended to determine the project’s engineering aspects.
The state government announced earlier this month that it intended to build an eight-kilometre tunnel under the Swan River and Tonkin Highway, to link Perth Airport to the existing Midland train line.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder today said the study was a crucial element for the project, which would enable the Public Transport Authority to undertake 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,” Mr Nalder said.
“This further work will give the project team a more detailed picture of what’s going on below ground.
“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 study is expected to take around six months to complete, while it will also help facilitate tunnel and station concept designs and stakeholder consultation.
“All these factors are integral to keeping the project on time,” Mr Nalder said.