Work starts on METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension unlocking thousands of local jobs

Perth's newest METRONET project is now underway, with early works commencing on the Yanchep Rail Extension.
 
Premier Mark McGowan, Attorney General and Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter and Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti turned the first sod to mark the start of works on the WA's latest METRONET project.
 
The project was a key McGowan Government election commitment and will add an additional 14.5 kilometres of rail to the existing Joondalup Line along with new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep, as promised.
 
Today's Welcome to Country with local Elders means early works such as site clearance and ground preparation can begin on the Yanchep Rail Extension. This will be the second major METRONET project to start, with the Forrestfield-Airport Link construction well-advanced.
 
Other works including geotechnical investigations and site surveys have been ongoing for a number of months, with several major works contracts worth around $8 million in total, set to be awarded or currently out for tender.
 
Main construction works will start early next year with NEWest Alliance today named as the preferred proponent to deliver both the Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, in Perth's southern suburbs, under an Alliance contract.
 
More than 3,000 jobs are expected to be created over the life of both projects.
 
The Alliance, involving companies CPB Contractors and Downer, will now develop their construction schedule and prepare their local workforce ahead of contract signing next month.
 
The value of the Yanchep Rail Extension project is $531.7 million, with the Australian Government contributing $350 million. Major construction is due to be completed in 2021, with train services operating in 2022.
 
With this announcement, there will be six METRONET projects under construction in 2020, creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses and transforming Perth's public transport network.
 
Comments attributed to WA Premier Mark McGowan:
 
"We promised to bring METRONET to Yanchep, and today we're taking a major step forward to deliver on that promise with works starting on the job-creating project.
 
"Travelling up from Rockingham today, and seeing the amount of residential development in Alkimos and surrounds demonstrates just how popular the northern coastal lifestyle is.
 
"METRONET will provide another transport option for the rapidly growing northern suburbs and along with the freeway widening works, help bust congestion and provide better links to the CBD and other suburbs.
 
"This time next year, Perth will have six METRONET projects under construction at once, creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.
 
"Our METRONET projects, along with our unprecedented investment in upgrading our road network, will give northern suburbs residents a new public transport option and reduce their time spent in traffic, which means they can spend more time with family and friends."  
 
Comments attributed to Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge:
 
"There has been incredible growth in the northern corridor and the Yanchep Rail Extension will cater for further growth in this region.
 
"In addition, the Thornlie-Cockburn link will help close a public transport gap for residents in Perth's eastern suburbs.
 
"Passengers will no longer have to travel into the city to get to get to the east, cutting journey times, busting congestion and creating a more convenient public transport system."
 
Comments attributed to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
 
"The start of works on the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension today is also the beginning of a transformational era of rail construction across Perth.
 
"Next year alone the McGowan Government will have six METRONET projects underway at once - a level of rail construction that WA has never seen before.
 
"Along with our record investment in roads, the impact of the McGowan Government's METRONET investment will be felt in the economy in the short-medium term and will set the foundation for Perth to grow sustainably in the long term.
 
"We are building the infrastructure to match the growth of our suburbs and we are proud to be delivering what we promised."
 
Comments attributed to Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter:
 
"As a Yanchep resident myself, I know how much this project will mean to the local community, and how many benefits it will bring to our local area which is why I've been fighting for it for six years.
 
"This rail line will provide more accessible and cost-effective public transport for communities in our northern suburbs, reducing congestion on the roads and connecting them to the city.
 
"This project will create a 49-minute train journey between Yanchep and Perth CBD, providing residents in my electorate with easy access to infrastructure such as Perth airport and stadium.
 
"In addition to the local jobs created by this project, the new stations and improved transport accessibility will provide new opportunities for businesses and help to stimulate the local economy.
 
"The Federal Liberal Government has invested $13.5 billion into land transport infrastructure projects in WA since coming to office in 2013, and we're proud of our record of investment into these projects, which will better connect our regions, improve road safety and help meet our national freight challenge."
 
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500