The Project in Perth

The award-winning Forrestfield-Airport Link (FAL) project forms a major piece of Perth’s future infrastructure network as the Western Australian capital continues its march toward a projected population of 3.5 million by 2050, almost double its current total.
The world-class rail project, recently completed by Webuild (previously Salini Impregilo) and locally based joint-venture partner NRW, connects Perth’s airport and eastern suburbs to the CBD and existing suburban rail network.
Featuring the construction of three new rail stations linked together by two eight-kilometre twin-bored tunnels, the project will more than halve travel times for commuters and generate 20,000 daily passenger trips with capacity for up to 29,000 trips by 2031.
Now known as METRONET Airport Line, the service will also reduce road traffic and travelling times by taking an estimated 15,000 cars off the road, in turn easing pressure on Perth’s road network and reducing air pollution.

Client: Public Transport Authority of Western Australia

Contractor: Webuild (former Salini Impregilo) and its joint-venture partner NRW Pty Ltd

Project Value: AUS 1.86 billion

Innovative Solutions for Perth

With its extensive global experience and 115-year history, Webuild has brought with it a range of innovative solutions to ensure the project is delivered with maximum efficiency and minimal disruption for the people of Perth:

• A purpose-built factory was established for the project, with a concrete batching plant, a carousel line and a steam curing chamber operated by Boral Ltd.
• Two Tunnel Boring Machines (named Grace and Sandy by local school children) that simultaneously excavate and install concrete lining were specifically designed for the project and operated around the clock.
• With Tunnel Boring taking place directly under the Perth airport runway, more than 10,000 sensors were used to ensure the runway did not sink at all during the tunnelling process.

Commitment to social procurement policies

A firm commitment to social procurement policies has also been a key element of the overall Forrestfield Airport Link project, with more than 55% of employees under 40 and people of more than 25 nationalities working on the project.

In addition, the percentage of total hours of work on the project undertaken by indigenous Australians was 2.57% in October 2020, higher than the assigned 2% target.

We build value for Community

Webuild and it's joint-venture partner NRW pty Ltd is working closely with the Public Transport Authority and the community to minimise construction impacts.

• Local area & community: the project will service the growing local community and promote a safe and vibrant precinct through new stations and services. 
• Employment & industry: The project specifies targets for Aboriginal engagement 
• Environment & Sustainability: Webuild and NRW are committed to reducing whole-of-life costs and contributing to safe and healthy employees, communities and ecosystems.