Last week Transport Minister Rita Saffioti MLA announced that the first operational trains for the Airport Line are expected to run in the first half of 2022. While this is later than anticipated, the delay was unavoidable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction works are on the home stretch and will be followed by a testing and commissioning period, as well as driver training.  

Despite the extended timeframe the original budget of EUR1.15 bn (AUD1.86 bn) remains unchanged.  

Track laying continues to progress, with almost 17km (85%) of rail in place within the tunnels and at ground level. The next major works for the project are the installation of rail systems and signalling infrastructure, including the installation of overhead conductor rail to provide power to the trains.  

Repairs on a section of Tunnel One that was damaged during cross passage construction in September 2018 are complete. A similar method to the one used in the London Underground, the installation of spheroid graphite iron lining has achieved the required strength, durability and water tightness required for the 120-year lifecycle of the tunnels.  

Click here and au/34 for tunnelbuilder archive and also visit https://www.forrestfieldairportlink.wa.gov.au/ and https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au. 19/21.