Major Projects Unit
The PTA’s Major Projects Unit was established to deliver high-value, complex public transport and freight railway infrastructure projects. It was formed in July 2009 and has established a core management team - supported by specialist resources engaged on an as-needs basis - to oversee the delivery of these projects.
Perth City Link Transport
The $609 million Perth City Link (PCL) transport project is among the first stages of the broader Perth City Link Project.
The project will transform Perth and deliver a transport-orientated development for new inner-city residential, retail and commercial opportunities.
Government approved the PCL funding and implementation timeframe in March 2010 and funding was committed in the 2010-11 budget. The project is funded by the State ($336m) and Commonwealth (rail project only $236m) governments and the City of Perth ($37m).
To realise the State Government’s vision, the PTA will:
- sink the Fremantle Line between William Street and Lake/King Streets to create street-level connections between the CBD and Northbridge;
- build associated works to enable further development by the East Perth Redevelopment Authority (EPRA) after completion of the rail and bus works;
- upgrade Perth Station and ensure platform capacity for future growth;
- improve connections between Perth Station and Perth Underground with a pedestrian underpass; and
- replace the existing Wellington Street Bus Station (WSBS) with a new underground facility.
The PTA will deliver this in two stages: the $360m rail project (from 2011 to 2014) and the $249m bus project (2014-2016). When this is done, EPRA will continue with its program of above-ground development on the newly-released land.
From mid-2010, the PTA began a $26m program of forward works for the rail project. This involves modifying railway infrastructure, and significant upgrades to Platforms 6 and 7 at Perth Station. This work is on track for completion in mid-2011, after which the major underground, railway and infrastructure work can start. The major works will be delivered through an Alliance form of contract between the PTA and a private-sector consortium.
On March 1, Transport Minister Troy Buswell and Planning Minister John Day announced the PTA’s preferred alliance partners would be John Holland Pty Ltd and GHD Pty Ltd. Design is at 30 per cent stage and the Alliance is preparing to undertake the first works late in August 2011.
The PTA has nominated a number of key senior staff to work within the Alliance to ensure that the best project outcomes are achieved. In addition, the PTA has nominated two key senior positions to work alongside the Alliance to ensure that interfaces with the PTA and key stakeholders are properly considered.
During the year, the PTA started a review of the Bus Master Plan and will carry out a review of the planning, design and procurement timeframe. When it is completed (mid-2016), the new underground WSBS will feature Australia’s first dynamic bus allocation system.
Joondalup Line extension to Butler
Approval was given in 2009 for a 7.5km extension of the Joondalup Line from Clarkson to Butler. Work has started and contracts let for a range of design and project management activities, bulk earthworks and the construction of three road-over-rail bridges.
Design of the station is well advanced and tenders are due to be called in late 2011. Designs are being prepared for railway systems, upgrades at Nowergup railcar depot, signalling and system communications, traction power supply, overhead wiring and track, with construction contracts to follow. The $241m project, which includes the acquisition of 11 new buses to service the expanding north-west corridor, is due for completion in late 2014.
In the early months of 2011, as a result of patronage pressures on the Joondalup Line, the Government asked that the four three-car sets that were being retained for future use, be put into service.