Tender released to market for key freight rail upgrades in WA

Planning for key freight rail upgrades as well as the removal of the North Lake Road level crossing in South Lake, Western Australia will soon get underway as the State Government releases the tender for these projects. 

The upgrades are critical components to the Westport Program, which will ultimately shift container trade from Fremantle to a new, modern facility in Kwinana. 

With the Request for Proposals (RFP), companies are invited to form an integrated project team to undertake the definition phase of the development. The contract is due to be awarded in the first half of 2026. 

“We know rail is the safest and most efficient way to transport containers, and these upgrades are essential to increasing our container-on-rail mode share considerably once the new port container terminal opens. 

“Our aim is to move more containers off our roads and onto rail, making our entire container supply chain safer and more efficient. 

“This work will also be a game changer for local communities by removing bottlenecks like the North Lake Road level crossing, making it safer and less congested. 

“Westport will futureproof WA’s trade capabilities for the next century, ensuring costs for imports, exports, and everyday goods remain low,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

The definition phase will include developing reference designs, community and stakeholder engagement, geotechnical and environmental site investigations, and progressing regulatory approvals to get construction going once funding is allocated. 

Works being planned and developed include new freight rail connections into the future Kwinana container port, duplication of freight rail between Kwinana and Cockburn, including the removal of existing rail level crossings, and replacing the existing North Lake Road rail level crossing in South Lake with a new bridge. 

Planning for a new container port at Kwinana is being jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Roads & Infrastructure Australia