- Freight line relocated to make way for METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link
- Works now ramping up on new stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road
- METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link to be Perth's first east-west connecting rail line
- New link to connect Mandurah and Armadale Lines for first time
The delivery of the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link has reached an important milestone, with the relocation of 22-kilometres of freight rail now complete.
The freight rail needed to be relocated to the northern side of the rail corridor to allow for construction of the new METRONET Thornlie Cockburn-Link. The existing freight rail and the new Thornlie-Cockburn Link will operate side-by-side in the rail corridor.
Relocation of the freight line involved construction of an entirely new freight line, which included 70,000 tonnes of ballast, 33,000 concrete sleepers, and 4,000 tonnes of track.
With the freight rail now relocated, and trains now switched and running on the new alignment, works are ramping up on the project, with construction on the entry building for the Nicholson Road Station now underway.
The relocation of the freight rail also means track laying for the new Thornlie-Cockburn Link can commence.
Nicholson Road Station will have 1,000 parking bays, and will be a 26-minute journey to Perth, while Ranford Road Station will have 400 parking bays and will be a 29-minute journey.
The Cook Government is getting on with delivering METRONET, which will include 20 new train stations, 13 level crossings removed, and more than six hectares of new public open space created.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"It's full steam ahead on METRONET right across the suburbs of Perth.
"The METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be our first east-west rail line, slashing commuting times for people in our south-eastern suburbs.
"We are creating infrastructure that will re-shape Perth, better connect communities across the metropolitan region and create thousands of local jobs."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This was a complex and technically demanding task, which was years in the planning and involved close collaboration to overcome the many challenges.
"The relocation of the freight rail is critical to the overall METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link project, as it means we can now get to work on the passenger rail and new stations.
"The 17.5km extension from Thornlie to Cockburn Centralwill serve the current and future growth occurring between the Mandurah and Armadale lines and address gaps in public transport in these communities as well as provide a direct link to Optus Stadium for Mandurah Line passengers."
As stated bySouthern RiverMLATerry Healy:
"The METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link is a fantastic project that will connect thousands of people living between theMandurah and Armadale linesto our world class rail network.
"This is a growing area and currently a gap on our rail network so delivering this new link will ensure communities have access to high quality public transport.
"I want to congratulate the project team for their efforts in relocating the freight rail, which means work on the new passenger rail can get underway."
As stated by Thornlie MLA Chris Tallentire:
"I want to congratulate the project team for their efforts in relocating the freight rail it's a major project in itself.
"As a community we are thrilled the freight trains will be running on the new smooth tracks.
"With the freight line now in its new alignment and operational, I am excited to see the works ramp up on the new stations and tracks being laid for the new passenger rail."
