The West Australian Government has agreed to provide an extra A$260.8 million (US$199.6 million) for a second tunnel option for the Perth Freight Link project, bringing its total commitment to A$1.2 billion (US$921.1 million).

The Perth Freight Link total investment is estimated at $1.9 billion (US$1.45 billion), accordingly the government has to rise $700 million (US$500 billion) to carry out the project. More details about the project financing model have not been disclosed.

The tunnel project consist of a link between the Stock/Winterfold road intersection to the junction of Stirling highway and High street in the port city of Fremantle.

The tunnel option offers improved productivity, safety benefits and less impact on residential properties over the previously announced design of a surface upgrade of Stock Road and Leach Highway arterial roads from the National Route 1. 

Following reconfirmation of the full project by the West Australian Government, this commitment for the tunnel implementation will allow planning work to progress, including finalizing the tender process and progressing through environmental approvals.

Together with the Gateway WA and Northlink WA projects, the Perth Freight Link project will form part of an upgraded high standard freight connection from Muchea through the Perth urban area to Fremantle Port.

The Perth Freight Link road project development will:

• Create a new high-standard freight connection between the Roe Highway and the Fremantle Port, reducing transport costs and improving efficiency.
• Facilitate the transport of freight along the metropolitan East-West freight corridor to Fremantle and between the city's key strategic industrial areas.
• Improve road safety and reduce the freight industry's impact on the community through greater segregation of freight and passenger vehicle movements along key urban arterial roads.