Work on the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link in Perth is progressing, with the Mandurah Train Line on track to re-open for first service on Saturday, January 15.
The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be Perth’s first east-west cross line connection, making travel around the city by train more flexible and providing a higher level of public transport service to Perth’s southern suburbs.
The link is set to will support growth and accessibility across the southern suburbs by providing direct access to employment, sporting and recreation opportunities at Canning Vale, Cannington Strategic Metropolitan Centre, Burswood Peninsula and the eastern Central Business District. The project is expected to support around 1680 jobs.
Recent works have seen the removal of three kilometres of rail tracks from the existing rail corridor between Cockburn Central Station and Glen Iris Tunnel to make way for the new Thornlie-Cockburn Link tracks to be laid.
Overhead line equipment is currently being installed on the Mandurah Line heading to Perth with track, rail and sleeper installation underway on the line heading to Cockburn Central.
To enable the completion of works, the Mandurah Line has been temporarily closed between Aubin Grove Station and Elizabeth Quay Station from Sunday December 26, 2021 until the last service Friday January 14, 2022.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti thanked passengers for their patience during the shutdown.
“We are now halfway through the biggest public transport shutdown we have ever had in Perth,” she said.
“Work on the project is progressing well, with three kilometres of the old track removed, 13,000 tonnes of ballast or track bed moved and new track starting to be laid – major works that are helping to facilitate the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link.”
In December 2019, the NEWest Alliance consisting of CPB Contractors, the Downer Group and the Public Transport Authority, was formed to deliver the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.
The Australian Government has committed $350 million towards the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.
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