The WA Government has requested proposals for the $1.575 billion Perth Freight Link project.

Three proponents have been invited to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase of the big road build, set to create a new freight connection between the Roe Highway and the Fremantle Port.

Proposals will be sought for two sections as follows:

  • Section 1—a 5.2km extension of Roe Highway (Stage 8) from Kwinana Freeway to just west of Coolbellup Avenue; and
  • Section 2—upgrades to Stock Road, Leach Highway, High Street and Stirling Highway, spanning 8.2km.

The three consortia are comprised of the following companies:

  • BGC Contracting, Laing O'Rourke, Arup and Jacobs
  • Clough, Brierty, WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff and Hyder
  • Leighton Contractors, Georgiou, GHD, AECOM, BG&E and WA Limestone

Western Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the consortia were chosen after the evaluation of Expressions of Interest applications which were submitted in March 2015.

“Consultation and design work over the past six years has finalised the route for Section 1,” he said.

“However, while the most obvious route for Section 2 had undergone robust planning, it will continue to be refined.

“In this next phase we ask the proponents to also look at innovative solutions, including the potential for a tunnelling option. To help plan and cost this option some early geotechnical work has been carried out.

“The feasibility of other options will be considered against environmental, economic and social impacts.”

Contracts are expected to be awarded in September 2015 for Section 1 and in December 2015 for Section 2.

The Federal Government has committed $925 million to the project and the State Government is contributing $650 million.