The project plans for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension have been endorsed by the Western Australian Cabinet, with the construction of both projects on track to start next year. Industry briefing for construction companies is expected to be held on July 18, with both projects to create over 3,000 jobs.
The plans, which are to be submitted to Infrastructure Australia in coming weeks, will be delivered together by one contractor.
“Combining the two projects into one main contract should generate significant savings for WA taxpayers,” announced West Australian Premier Mark McGowan, earlier today.
The Yanchep Rail Extension will deliver the last 14.5km section of the Joondalup Line from Butler to Yanchep, supporting ongoing growth in the area and reducing road congestion. In addition to this, the 17.5km Thornlie-Cockburn Link will connect the Mandurah and Armadale Lines, creating development opportunities around the proposed Nicholson Road and Ranford Road stations and improving access from the southern suburbs to Optus Stadium.
“The rail connections for both the northern suburbs and through Canning Vale have long been talked about. These plans recognised rail as essential infrastructure and an important travel option to help connect and move people living and working in the area,” commented Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“We have developed plans to ensure this investment creates places where people can live the lifestyle they choose and still have the option to access jobs, schools, the CBD and other facilities like the airport and Stadium,” she said.
Thornlie Station is set to become a ‘through station’, with a new platform to be built at the northern end of Cockburn Central Station. An additional three kilometres of rail line will be constructed to duplicate the section between Beckenham and Thornlie Stations. The two MetroNet projects, with a current combined budget of $1.056 billion, are being delivered by the Western Australian and Federal governments through a joint funding arrangement, with the Federal Government funding $700 million, and the WA Government $356 million, respectively.
In the near future, there will be a series of community drop-in sessions where members can speak to planning and delivery teams, and learn more about the projects.
More information about the briefings can be found here.