Work on the extension of Perth’s northern railway corridor to Butler has reached a key milestone with construction of the station nearly complete.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the project would be an essential transport link to the rapidly-growing northern communities and would also ease congestion on Perth’s roads.
Mr Buswell said the laying of track to the station was now 80 per cent complete.
The Minister said the project also involved laying about 87km of fibre-optic cable (for communications like radio, CCTV and signalling) and more than 28,000 concrete sleepers.
The installation of the station’s roof panels is almost complete and engineers are working on installing lifts and completing cladding to the inside walls.
“The Butler extension is on time and on budget with the station itself due for completion early next year, after which engineers will begin work on signalling and electrical components of the project,” Mr Buswell said.
“By the end of 2014, the residents of Butler and other nearby suburbs will be coming in droves to use this modern station.”
Releasing an animation showing what the station will look like when it opens, the Minister said the project was a significant investment in public transport in the northern suburbs.
“The project’s budget includes funding for 11 new buses which will work as feeder services to the new station,” the Minister said.
Recently the first of 22 three-car train sets, part of the Liberal National Government’s $243million investment in new rolling stock, arrived in Perth and will begin operating on the city’s rail network in the very near future.
will begin operating on the city’s rail network in the very near future.