The main construction contract for the $700 million METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line has been awarded to the MELconnx Consortium (Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction).
The project aims to link the north-eastern suburbs directly with the wider Perth passenger rail network for the first time.
The 21-kilometre line is the biggest METRONET project to get underway, and is the most significant expansion of the rail network since the Mandurah Line was built in 2007. By 2031, it is expected the rail line will take more than 10,000 car trips off roads in the north-eastern suburbs each day.
More than 6500 local jobs will be created as part of the project, helping provide a boost to the WA economy.
The contract will include construction of the rail line as well as building five new stations at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook, with a future station to be developed at Bennett Springs East.
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Early works have already started, with the New Bayswater Station – the site where the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will spur off the Midland Line – and the Tonkin Gap Project. As part of the Tonkin Gap Project, works include civil and structural works between Bayswater and Malaga to allow rail access in and out of the Tonkin Highway and to prepare the corridor for rail to be laid.
The total project budget for the main contract, including contingency, escalation and ancillary costs, is estimated to be $1.1 billion.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the project was one of his Government’s key election commitments and he was pleased the main construction contract has now been awarded.
“This has been talked about for decades and after all the broken promises, this is a major step forward for this project, which will transform Perth’s growing north-eastern suburbs and benefit the local and surrounding communities,” he said.
“Now more than ever, big infrastructure projects like METRONET’s Morley-Ellenbrook Line are imperative to WA’s COVID-19 economic recovery as they create a pipeline of work and support thousands of jobs.
“This year alone we have seven METRONET projects underway and through our Building for Tomorrow program, we are creating lasting infrastructure for generations to come while creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.”
Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said today’s contract award paves the way for thousands of jobs for hard-working Western Australians and an economic boost for the WA economy.
“All along the Morrison Government have said that METRONET will re-shape Perth and that transformation is underway all across the metropolitan area,” Tudge said.
“It means jobs right now and critical, targeted infrastructure for generations to come.”
Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the population of Perth’s north-eastern suburbs was expected to double by 2031 and it was vital the Government planned and delivered key infrastructure now.
“The community have been waiting a long time for their railway – we promised it in 2017 and when we were lucky enough to be elected to Government, we immediately began planning the project,” Saffioti said.
“Now the contract has been signed, the funding secured and early works are underway.
“The McGowan Government is spending almost $12 billion on building the transport infrastructure over the next four years, creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.”
It is expected all main construction work will be completed in 2023-24.