Planning and preparatory work for key freight rail upgrades and a new grade separation in Perth’s south is underway to support the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana.
A consortium of engineering firms Arup Australia Projects Pty Ltd and WSP Australia Pty Ltd has been appointed to form an integrated project team with Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority.
Planning and project development work is being undertaken for:
- A new freight rail connection to link the future Westport container terminal to the existing rail network east of Rockingham Road.
- Duplication of an approximately eight-kilometre section of track on the freight rail line between Kwinana and Cockburn near Beeliar Drive, including removing the existing rail level crossings, as well as duplication of a short section of single track in Kewdale.
- A North Lake Road Grade Separation replacing the existing North Lake Road rail level crossing in South Lake with a new bridge.
These upgrades are critical to the transition of container operations from Fremantle to the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana, supported by an integrated freight network.
As freight demand grows, upgrades to key sections of the existing freight rail network will be required to support future container volumes and improve network capacity, resilience and operational flexibility.
The activities will include developing a project reference design, geotechnical and environmental site investigations, and progressing regulatory approvals to enable construction to proceed once funding is allocated.
Community consultation will commence later this year to help shape the future design.
The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have committed $67 million to progress planning and development activities for the upgrade of roads, freight duplication and level crossing removals that will facilitate the Westport program into the future.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Upgrading freight rail infrastructure is a long-term solution to meeting Western Australia’s future freight demand while supporting safer and less congested roads.
“Encouraging more containers off our roads and onto rail is key to making the entire container supply chain safer and more efficient.
“These planning works are vital to boosting rail’s share of container movements once the new port terminal opens, so I am pleased to see them moving ahead.”
Quotes attributable to WA Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Building a new container port in Kwinana is critical to securing our State’s long-term trade future, generating thousands of local jobs and strengthening Western Australia’s economy.
“These upgrades will help future-proof our State’s freight rail network ready for Westport, so we can move more containers off our roads and onto rail.
“This will not only make Western Australia’s supply chains more efficient but will help ease congestion and improve safety for the community using the surrounding road network.”
