The newly announced $2 billion Forrestfield Airport Link and the $1billion Gateway WA project will aim to transform Perth's eastern suburbs into a commercial and residential hub within easy access of the city's industrial areas, central business district and Fremantle Ports, said Transport Minister Dean Nalder.
"Perth has expanded to the north and south and our infrastructure has followed suit," Nalder said.
"Now we are investing in the east of the city so our roads and public transport services reach growing business and residential communities in this area."
The eight-kilometre Forrestfield Airport Link tunnel will be an average of 15 metres below ground and include twin bored tunnels, both 6.2 metres in diameter.
Saving space, reducing impact
"Tunnels save space and reduce the impact on existing residential and business areas, which is a great outcome," the Minister said.
"In the same way the Mandurah and Joondalup lines have underpinned urban developments along the south and north of Perth, the Forrestfield Airport Link will drive growth and open new opportunities to the east.
"Combined with the Gateway WA project, these two major infrastructure builds will revolutionise the way we think about the city's eastern suburbs."
Construction on Gateway WA started mid last-year and is due to finish in 2017, and will result in 11 new bridges and 45km of new road.
The Minister said the project reached a major milestone recently when bridge beams were hoisted into place at the intersection of Tonkin Highway and Leach Highway.
"This is the basis of the first of four bridges at the new interchange that will carry traffic to and from the airport," he said.
"Grand gateway" to Perth
"This grade separated interchange will become the grand gateway to the city of Perth."
Nalder said more than 550 Western Australian businesses were sharing in the work associated with the billion dollar Gateway WA project.
At present there are 305 contractors and 264 suppliers of services with local content engaged by the Gateway WA Alliance team on the project.
"The value of these contracts range from several thousand dollars to several million dollars, and to date they are collectively worth almost $400million," the Minister said.
"It is a good demonstration of the sorts of economic benefits that are gained from an infrastructure project as large as this. I would expect to see similar benefits from the construction of the Forrestfield Airport Link."
