Engineering, Passenger Rail

Arup wins Morley-Ellenbrook planning and design

Perth B-series train. Credit: Creative Commons / DBZ2313

Consultancy firm Arup has won a tender to work on planning for the early stages of the future Morley-Ellenbrook line in Perth.

Arup will assist in designing plans for route options and engineering work for the new rail line in Perth’s north-east. The company will be joining Roberts Day and Ernst and Young in working with the WA government in undertaking options analysis and design work with a view towards the development of a business case for the project.

“Initial planning and early community consultation for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line have taken place, so we have now entered a far more detailed planning phase,” state transport minister Rita Saffioti said.

“The awarding of these tenders will allow the project team to progress developing the necessary business cases for the proposed projects so Government can assess the best outcome for the community.”

The options analysis will explore potential locations for the rail line, as well as developing design options such as grad separations and train stations.

A potential option under that will be under consideration in the planning is a 21km spur line from the existing Midland Line just east of Bayswater Station to connect communities in Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Bennett Springs, Whiteman and Ellenbrook.

“We recently revealed concept plans for the Bayswater Station upgrade, which will start construction next year and form the first stage of works for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line,” said Saffioti.

The design work of firms like Arup will followed by wider economic analysis and business case development work, which will reportedly be contracted separately in the coming months.