Two new contracts have been awarded this week for the next stage of works on WA’s METRONET program – the Byford Rail Extension and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal projects on the Armadale Line.
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project will be delivered by the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance, comprising Acciona Construction, BMD Constructions, WSP and AECOM. The project also includes the removal of the William Street level crossing and contructing a new elevated Beckenham Station.
The Byford Rail Extension contract has been awarded to MetCONNX Alliance, comprising Laing O’Rourke, Pritchard Francis Consulting and Kellogg Brown & Root. This package includes a new ground-level Byford Station with around 400 parking bays, a bus interchange, and pedestrian connections; elevating rail through Armadale, with a new Armadale Station and removing eight level crossings at Armadale Road, Forrest Road, Church Avenue, Seventh Road, Byron Road, Eleventh Road, Thomas Road and Larsen Road.
The news came as it was announced that the METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link will commence operations from 9 October, providing a passenger rail connection between Perth Airport and the Perth CBD. It also provides three new train stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe, which will enhance connectivity for the city’s eastern suburbs.
It’s expected that 20,000 passenger trips will be made each day on the new airport rail line in its first year of service, increasing to 29,000 by 2032.