Forrestfield-Airport Link preferred bidder announced

1 March 2016


AUSTRALIA – Perth’s major new rail project has revealed its preferred joint venture. The Salini Impregilo - NRW JV is tipped to fulfill the main design and construct contract for the USD 1.43bn Forrestfield-Airport Link. The other shortlisted groups were a JV of ACCIONA Infrastructure, BAM International and Ferrovial Agroman; and a JV of John Holland and Leighton Contractors.

It brings to an end the 15-week period of evaluating proposals from the three shortlisted groups. The proposals were judged on a combination of their price and plans for design and construction, as well as innovation, stakeholder engagement and delivery management plans.

The Public Transport Authority will now enter into negotiations with Salini Impregilo - NRW to finalise the contract by May after which more information about the project will be made publicly available. Construction will start later this year and the first trains are expected to run on the line in 2020.

"We envisage the contractor will mobilise on site in the coming months," Dean Nalder, Minister for Transport for Western Australia said. "This is an incredibly exciting time for a project that will change the way the people of Perth, and in particular Perth's eastern foothills, travel to our city. Planning for this transformational project is well advanced."