City section of New MetroRail Project signed

14/2/04

The New MetroRail Project took another significant step today with the signing of the $324.5million contract for the construction of the project's city section.

The contract for the city project was signed with representatives of the Leighton-Kumagai Team this afternoon.

Works will include 600m of cut-and-cover and 700m of twin bored tunnel structures, underground stations at the Esplanade and William Street, drainage, service relocations, roadworks, pedestrian cycle links, railway track and overheads, landscaping and associated urban improvement works.

Under the design and construction contract, other than for limited specified events, the contractor is responsible for all design and construction risk, including risk associated with site conditions.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan welcomed today's signing and said on-the-ground works were expected to start in the next month.

The Minister confirmed the total capital works budget for the New MetroRail Budget remained $1.518billion.

"Today's signing is a major step in the Gallop Government's commitment to create a world-class public transport system for the metropolitan area," Ms MacTiernan said.

www.newmetrorail.wa.gov.au