The Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture was commissioned by Main Roads in July 1996 to design and construct Phase 1 of the major Graham Farmer Freeway Project, a 6.4-kilometre, six-lane, inner-city freeway in Perth, Western Australia, and forms part of the crictical connection between the city centre and Perth Airport.

The Phase 1 bypass links into the Mitchell Freeway and extends to East Parade in East Perth. It was one of the most challenging road construction ventures undertaken in the State. The Phase 1 project included the State’s first major underground traffic tunnel, (the largest of its kind in Australia at the time) running for 1.6 km from Fitzgerald Street to Lord Street. 

The overall Graham Farmer Freeway (Phase 1 and Phase 2) extends from the Mitchell Freeway near Fitzgerald Street to Great Eastern Highway via a new Swan River Bridge.

The tunnel structure was constructed using the “top down” method to minimise community disruption. Other major aspects of the contract included:

• Tie-in roadworks

• Pedestrian traffic ramps and bridges

• Western and eastern tunnel portals and approaches

• A 250 m rail tunnel and railway realignment

• Relocation of existing services

• Signalling, signage and landscaping.

As per the specifications from Main Roads, the tunnel has a projected lifespan of 150 years. The design of the tunnel roof also enabled the construction of buildings up to three storeys to take place under the Northbridge Urban Renewal Scheme.

The Phase 1 project encompassed a significant public art component for both tunnel portals and was completed in 2000. The western end features a pictorial history of Northbridge and the eastern end showcasing Indigenous artwork created by Aboriginal artist Ron Corbett.

Stringent environmental planning and community relations management were significant requirements of the project.

The workscope also included operations and maintenance of the tunnel for 10 years after completion.

Upon completion, State Route 8’s namesake, Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, Australian rules footballer (1953 – 1971 in both Western Australian and Victorian Football Leagues), was the first to drive through the 1.6-kilometre tunnel, colloquially known as the “Polly/Poly Pipe.”

The project finished three months early and under budget, costing $313 million and was a finalist for the 2001 Australian Construction Achievement Award.