- Construction of Forrestfield METRONET Station is now more than 50 per cent complete
- Local content, including steel and bricks, used to build station platform and structure
- Plans to develop Forrestfield Station precinct into vibrant hub is progressing
- Forrestfield-Airport Link creating 2,000 jobs with 160 jobs at Forrestfield Station site
- TBM Grace has tunnelled more than 5,480 metres and is expected to reach the Swan River in November
Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti visited the station site today to view construction progress and see the local content, including steel and bricks, forming the station's structure, platform and lower roof.
The roof structure steel weighs about 30 tonnes, with more than 100 structural steel beams and 80 structural steel columns manufactured by Pacific Industrial Company in Kwinana.
The roof panels have a special matte finish to reduce glare for overhead pilots and the roof sheeting is 100 per cent Australian manufactured and supplied by BlueScope Steel.
The 36 concrete walls which make up the station's 150 metre platform have now been cast and the installation of the lower roof completed.
The two 16-tonne escalators and adjacent lift frames have been installed, and will help move an expected 4,900 passengers per day when the Forrestfield-Airport Link opens in the second half of 2021.
Plans to turn the surrounding area into a vibrant station hub, with diverse housing choice, leisure and employment growth opportunities, are progressing.
The boundaries for the new METRONET East Redevelopment Area are expected to be finalised shortly, ensuring the transformative investment is maximised.
Design of the 1,200-bay multi-deck car park is also being progressed, ready for construction to start next year.
TBM Grace is expected to start tunnelling under the Swan River in October and has tunnelled more than 5,480 metres, recently clearing Great Eastern Highway.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"Forrestfield train station is now at 50 per cent completion and is on track to be ready for the first trains to run on the line in late 2021.
"This station is proof that Western Australians can manufacture quality products, build world-class infrastructure and innovate with the best of them.
"The roof steel is local, the fabricators are local, the bricks are local and the concrete is local - all being manufactured by local people, creating local jobs and training opportunities.
"We plan to harness this METRONET investment in this area, to deliver quality infill, housing choice and jobs, creating an attractive community for people to live, work and play."
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Standing on the platform where the first train on the Forrestfield-Airport Link will depart from, it's not hard to imagine how this station will look in just two years' time when it is bustling with passengers.
"As part of our METRONET vision, this area around the station will be transformed into a lively hub, creating more opportunities for residential and commercial development.
"It's fascinating to see how intelligent engineering solutions here at the future Forrestfield Station are all coming together to create a modern, accessible, safe station for the people of the eastern foothills."
Comments attributed to Forrestfield MLA Stephen Price:
"The Forrestfield-Airport Link will be a game changer for eastern foothills residents, linking us to the wider public transport network and giving us more travel options.
"Using local content, including bricks from the nearby Midland Brick, demonstrates the high quality of Western Australian materials and craftsmanship.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the train station and precinct develop further and create more opportunities for local workers, businesses and residents."
Media line: (08) 9326 2526 or media@pta.wa.gov.au