Works are underway to prepare for the new east-west railway in Perth.

Planning ahead has come in handy for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, with the 21-year-old Glen Iris Tunnel to be part of Perth’s first east-west rail link.

The tunnel was built in 2000 as part of the Kwinana Freeway extension works to prepare for a future rail line through the area, and now that rail line is being delivered.

Located between the Kwinana Freeway and the freight rail reserve, the tunnel will connect trains into the Freeway median, where they will travel to Cockburn Central Station.

Works are now underway to clean up and prepare for the new railway, including building collision protection walls and steel reinforcement.

Fireproof coating and overhead line equipment will also be installed to make the tunnel meet current operational standards.