The Commonwealth and State Governments are moving ahead with the landmark Perth City Link project to sink the railway line and Wellington Street Bus Station and to develop the heart of Perth, with a key milestone reached today.

WA Transport Minister Simon O’Brien and the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese today formally released the Request for Proposal (RFP) document, a process which will identify preferred contractors to sink the railway line.

Touring the site today Mr O’Brien and Mr Albanese said that the Perth City Link project would completely transform the way that many people use and interact with public amenities and public spaces in the centre of Perth.

“The sinking of the railway line will ultimately reunite the retail district of Perth’s CBD with the Northbridge entertainment precinct, opening up expanses of public and commercial space,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The $600million construction phase of this project also represents a significant investment in Western Australia’s economy at a time of economic recovery.

“Ensuring we are supporting jobs and investing in major infrastructure projects such as the Link clearly demonstrates the State and Commonwealth Governments level of support for the local economy.”

Mr Albanese congratulated the State Government on the progress that’s been made in the 12 months since Federal funding for this project ($236 million) was first announced.

“The Perth City Link project is a great example of the Rudd Labor Government’s historic decision to invest Federal dollars in urban public transport infrastructure as well as our strong belief that the national government has a role to play in the development of our cities,” said Mr Albanese.

“In partnership with the State Government, we’re working to make sure Perth remains a place where people want to raise a family and do business. Without this cooperation and action, urban congestion will be costing the City’s families and businesses some $2.1 billion a year by the end of the decade.”

Based on a start time of early next year, the sinking of the line is expected to be completed by 2014.