PLANNING for freight rail upgrades, described as “critical” to the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana is under way.
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 to start planning and preparation for the upgrades.
The work includes planning for a new freight rail connection to link the future Westport container terminal to the existing rail network east of Rockingham Road.
An eight-kilometre section of track will need to be duplicated on the freight rail line between Kwinana and Cockburn near Beeliar Drive, and planning will include 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 is also to be planned.
A joint federal and state government release said the upgrades are critical to the transition of container operations from Fremantle to the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana, to be 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 statement said.
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.
The release said community consultation will start later this year to help shape the future design.
State and federal 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.
Federal transport minister, Catherine King, said upgrading freight rail infrastructure was 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,” Ms King said.
"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."