Tunnelling on the Forrestfield-Airport Link is complete after tunnel-boring machine Sandy broke through at the Bayswater dive structure yesterday.

Sandy had spent 900 days tunnelling through eight kilometres, including under Perth Airport and the Swan River.

Sandy’s arrival at Bayswater completed a total 16 kilometres of tunnelling for the project, nine weeks after boring machine Grace arrived on February 18.

The tunnels will link three new stations at Forrestfield, Airport Central and Redcliffe to the existing rail network.

Sandy will now be dismantled and craned out of the dive structure.

Installation of the first stage of track slab is half complete and track laying is scheduled to begin in July.

Construction and fit-out of the station buildings continues.

“The completion of tunnelling marks a major milestone for WA infrastructure,” Premier Mark McGowan said.

“While Western Australia has been grappling with COVID-19, TBM Sandy and the project team have been continuing to work on this incredible project for Perth.

“Construction of the stations also continues, as does the installation of track slab, with the first track expected to be laid in July.

“In times like these it’s important we continue to progress projects that will provide work for local businesses and keep workers in their jobs, ultimately supporting the State’s wider economy.”