L-R: Will Bronkhorst (SI-NRWJV Project Manager), Maylands MLA Lisa Baker and Stephen Keegan (PTA Project Manager). Photo: David Baylis
Camera IconL-R: Will Bronkhorst (SI-NRWJV Project Manager), Maylands MLA Lisa Baker and Stephen Keegan (PTA Project Manager). Photo: David Baylis Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Bayswater: Forrestfield-Airport Link project’s first mini tunnel boring machine launches

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

A MINI-tunnel boring machine on Railway Parade in Bayswater will make its debut tomorrow, as part of the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link project.

The rail link will deliver a new rail service to the eastern suburbs of Perth – with three new stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and Forrestfield.

The link will spur off the existing Midland line near Bayswater station and run to Forrestfield through twin-bored tunnels.

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The machine will tunnel under the Midland Line and finish on Whatley Crescent, a distance of 108m, installing two pipes side by side.

It is 3m long, weighs about 7 tonnes and the cutter head diameter is 1.5m.

After City of Bayswater approval, a 50m wide section of Whatley Crescent will be closed between Anzac and Newton streets from June 14 for up to eight weeks, as part of works for the relocation of a main drain.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Maylands MLA Lisa Baker said the tunnel was a “mini-me” version of two large machines, Grace and Sandy, who arrived at Airport Central Station in May.

“It is like the tiny off-spring of the huge tunnel boring machine,” she said.

“This is all been done with the mini boring machine because we have got water lines that have to be moved to make way for the line that comes in.

“It is just the gateway that is a starting point for opening up the Bayswater redevelopment.”

Ms Baker said the Whatley Crescent closure was a small inconvenience for a major development.

For more information on the works, visit http://www.forrestfieldairportlink.wa.gov.au/