Fremantle Port is set to expand its rail infrastructure, reducing the growth of port-related truck traffic.

The major contract for the extension of the North Quay Rail Terminal had been awarded to Australian engineering and construction company York Civil.

The expansion of rail infrastructure at the North Quay Rail Terminal, which services Fremantle Port, is designed to help reduce the growth of port-related truck traffic by increasing rail capacity, extending the existing rail terminal from 400 metres to 690 metres.

The $31 million project is funded by the Australian ($18.6 million) and Western Australian ($12.4 million) governments.

At Fremantle, the share of rail of the container movements to and from the port has grown from just 2 per cent in 2002 to 14 per cent, and the volume of containers currently on rail reduces truck movements by some 72,000 trips annually.

The state is targeting a rail share of 30 per cent for Fremantle's container trade. The project is due for completion by mid-2014.