Request for Proposal released for two major METRONET projects WA

A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been released to market in search of a contractor to deliver two major METRONET projects in Western Australia - the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension - that are expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs.

“The project will bring together new rail infrastructure and new urban centres around stations to improve liveability and tackle congestion in Western Australia.

“Our $11 billion investment in roads and rail across Western Australia will create jobs and support economic growth and includes $3.2 billion in the 2018 Budget for major project such as METRONET, which are anticipated to support over 20,000 jobs across the State,” Federal Minister for Cities, Urban infrastructure and population Alan Tudge said.

The 17.5-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Link is set to become Perth’s first east-west connection that will make it more convenient to travel around the city by train. This new connection will also help improve public transport links to the southern suburb of Perth. This project will also include two new train stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road.

Thornlie-Cockburn Link route (source: METRONET)

On the other hand, the Yanchep Rail Extension project will deliver the final 14.5-kilometre section of the Joondalup rail line from Butler to Yanchep. This project is expected to reduce congestion on local roads and support the region’s ongoing growth. New stations will also be built along the rail line at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.

According to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link will reduce the reliance on the existing radial railway network and it will also provide another option for train travel for residents in the eastern suburbs together with a direct link from the Mandurah Line to Optus Stadium.

“Our plans for METRONET are taking shape, and the release of the RFP for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension is a significant milestone.

“These public transport links will also transform the areas they travel through, from under-utilised industrial or rural areas to bustling new urban centres with a host of residential and business opportunities,” Ms Saffioti said.

Yanchep Rail Extension route (source: METRONET)

The two projects are going to be delivered through a bundle competitive alliance model, which will represent one of the State’s largest package of infrastructure works. The decision to deliver these projects under this model is expected to help maximise efficiencies and generate savings.

“The RFP stage of the contract for these two project is a major step forward in our METRONET plan for Perth’s suburbs. Combining both projects under an alliance contract will enable these community-boosting railway lines to be built quickly, efficiently, and economically.

“This will also likely be the first big contract delivered under the WA Jobs Law, which will maximise the benefits of the project to the State by delivering more local jobs for Western Australians,” Ms Saffioti said.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit an application until October and the shortlisted companies are expected to be announced thereafter. The shortlisted contractors will then be asked to submit a detailed bid that indicates their plan on how to build the project before the final contract is awarded to the winning bidder.

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Source: Government of Western Australia; METRONET