Western Australia’s Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension - two METRONET projects - have been granted priority status by Infrastructure Australia, moving the two projects even closer towards construction.
“Being added to this list means WA is a step closer to solving some major congestion issues.
“These projects will bust congestion on Perth’s road and rail networks,” Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said.
In September of this year, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was released to market for a contractor to deliver both METRONET projects. The Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension are going to be delivered through a single alliance contract.
The shortlisted tenderers are expected to be announced in early 2019.
The Thornlie-Cockburn Link is a 17.5 kilometre rail line that will serve as Perth’s first east-west connection, providing a more convenient way to travel by train around the city. Two new train stations will also be built as part of this project - one at Ranford Road and another at Nicholson Road.
On the other hand, the Yanchep Rail Extension will deliver a 14.5-kilometre section of the Joondalup rail line that will connect Butler to Yanchep. This project will also include the construction of new train stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.
“These new links will transform the areas they travel through from under-utilised industrial or rural areas to bustling new urban centres with a host of residential and business opportunities.
“More than 3,000 jobs are expected to be create over the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension projects,” Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said.
With the priority status, the Australian Government has also allocated approximately $700 million towards the delivery of both projects, bringing the total budget to $1.056 billion - together with the State Government’s $356 million investment.
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Source: Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population; Government of Western Australia; METRONET