The Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture was commissioned by Main Roads Western Australia in July 1996 to design and construct Phase 1 of the major Graham Farmer Freeway Project.

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. 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.

The Phase 1 project encompassed a significant public art component and was completed in 2000. The workscope also included operations and maintenance of the tunnel for 10 years after completion.

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