The mission
GHD was the lead design consultant for the Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth - one of Western Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects. This 8.5 km extension of the existing urban rail network creates a new public transport corridor in the city’s eastern suburbs and the airport.
The Forrestfield-Airport Link includes the complete design of twin-bored tunnels under the Swan River, three new rail stations: Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe, plus a grade-separated rail junction and two rail-bus interchanges.
Our response
Integrated design team
Webuild-NRW Joint Venture was awarded the design, construction and maintenance contract for the Forrestfield-Airport Link.
As design consultant to Webuild-NRW, GHD provided design coordination for the project and was responsible for the architecture, above ground structural engineering, structural engineering of base and intermediate slabs for the station boxes, all building services within the stations and tunnels, rail systems design and civil engineering. Architecture services were provided by GHD’s integrated design studio GHDWoodhead and Weston Williamson + Partners.
Project elements
20km of infrastructure for permanent way (rail formation, drainage, track systems) – concept and final design
120-year design life
1,700 new car parking bays
Three new rail stations - architecture and building services
All infrastructure at dive structures and inside the twin tunnels
Twin bored tunnels under the Swan River (8 km long and 6,170 mm in diameter)
The challenges
Complex interfaces
The Airport Line is required to descend via a dive structure into the new tunnels from an existing raised embankment.
This descent provides a grade separation to pass under an existing train line and below a major intersection, all within a few hundred metres.
To avoid an existing drain and sewer system, the GHD and Webuild-NRW JV team had to collaboratively workshop options and obtain an optimised dive structure solution.
Addition of a new grade separation
A new grade-separated rail junction was needed to connect the existing train line and the new Airport Line. This was a constrained and complex part of the site.
During a series of weekend shutdowns, the existing alignment was temporarily moved for the re-aligned line and Airport line to be constructed ‘offline’.
Innovative digital engineering
Digital engineering transformed the project. GHD led the way in the application and development of digital tools and processes. A virtual Building Information Model (BIM) captured data that allowed clients and project teams to make more valuable and considered decisions. Seeing a virtual representation of the whole asset revolutionised our ability to control scope, time and cost.
GHD also developed automated design processes that allowed us to produce the 25kV overhead line design, including 17 km of conductor rail supports, masts, cantilevers, cabling.
Stations and Key Design Enhancements
Our GHDWoodhead architecture design team worked with Weston Williamson+Partners to design the three new stations, which incorporated local heritage and culture. Part of the design process was engaging Noongar Elders to gather their input under a collaborative, consultation framework.
Redcliffe Station
The station is designed to reflect the local heritage and future area precinct integration, aligning the station design to the plans for new developments surrounding the station, according to the previously approved masterplan. There was a series of interactions with the local government to understand the intentions for the precinct and critical considerations were taken to integrate the station.
Airport Central Station
This station is a gateway to passengers arriving in Perth and needed to reflect a world-class standard.
The prominent feature of the Airport Central Station design is the strikingly iconic roof shape with its dynamic and directional form which takes inspiration from the aircraft aerodynamic features providing a design statement and welcoming entrance to station users. Furthermore, the atrium was designed with ground to ceiling glass to create a sun-filled space with generous dimensions.
High Wycombe
This end-of-the-line station operates as an intermodal transport hub to feed the eastern suburbs and foothills. The character of the area inspired the design approach and construction materials selected for the station.
The impact
GHD’s multidisciplinary integrated engineering and architecture team played a key role, working for Webuild-NRW Joint Venture to deliver the Forrestfield-Airport Link to the WA community. This landmark project will expand public transportation options for the foothills area and beyond, as well as providing fast and affordable transport to Perth Airport.
The project allowed us to create highly visible stations that feature inspiring spaces to provide the best ‘whole of journey’ experience for patrons and contribute to maximising the attractiveness and utilisation of public transport.
The integration of public transport infrastructure into the urban environment required close attention to design quality, both within the transit environment and across the station precincts. This has enabled the stations to become the catalyst for the future development of housing, jobs, and community services within higher density active urban precincts that will offer a range of living, employment, entertainment, and recreation options.
Create highly visible stations that feature inspiring spaces to provide the best 'whole of journey' experience
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