<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> Perthâs new Fremantle rail tunnel has opened, marking a major milestone in the WA capitalâs transformational City Link project. </span> <p>The 600-metre tunnel runs beneath Perth’s CBD and its opening last Thursday will allow construction to begin above ground on the Perth City Link project.</p><p>The project is designed to develop the heart of Perth by sinking the railway line and Wellington Street Bus Station and once completed, will reconnect the city centre with the Northbridge entertainment precinct.</p><p>The project will also open up expanses of public and commercial space which the state government says will transform the way that people use and interact with public amenities and public spaces in the centre of Perth.</p><p>13.5 hectares will be freed up in the heart of the city that will be home to 1650 new dwellings and 244,000 square metres of new retail and commercial space.</p><p>The next phase of the project will see the bus station demolished and replaced by an underground station. The final phase of the project will see the completion of the pedestrian underpass connecting Perth and Perth.</p><p>Underground stations, making it easier for commuters to change trains.<br />The total cost of rail works and sinking the bus station is $609m, with the Federal Government contributing $236m, the City of Perth contributing $38m and the WA Government funding the remainder.</p><p>Work on the project began in August last year and is on track to finish ahead of the original mid-2014 completion date.</p>
