Perth’s new Morley-Ellenbrook Line has reached a major milestone with the completion of a second station and all tracks now laid.
Malaga Station, which will be formally named Ballajura Station, was completed on 30 July 2024.
The milestone follows the completion of Ellenbrook Station earlier this year, and the opening of the METRONET Bayswater Station in April, a project jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian governments and critical to the operations of the new Morley-Ellenbrook Line.
As part of the transformative METRONET project for Perth’s north-eastern suburbs, 21km of new rail track has now been laid, allowing for line electrification to occur later this month ahead of testing of trains.
It marks the most significant milestone to date on the project, which has supported around 6,500 jobs.
The METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook line starts at the new Bayswater Station, with new stations at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook.
The $1.65 billion METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian governments.
The station is a 21-minute journey to Perth city, and will connect the suburbs of Ballajura, Landsdale, Alexander Heights, Malaga and Bennett Springs to high-quality and affordable public transport.
With convenient and modern facilities, the new Ballajura Station includes a 12-stand bus interchange and 1,100 parking bays, and will unlock thousands of new housing options for Western Australians as part of future developments.
Work is also now complete on a new footbridge to provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists from the residential areas west of Tonkin Highway to the new station.
An education campaign will be delivered in coming months as electrification of the line begins, to encourage public safety around high-speed rail and live rail.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said, “This is the biggest milestone to date on the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line, and brings high-quality, affordable public transport one step closer for the tens of thousands of people in our north eastern suburbs.
“From Ballajura to Byford, from Ellenbrook to Eglinton – METRONET is transforming our suburbs, creating jobs, slashing congestion and setting up our city for the future.”
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, said projects like the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line highlight the importance of Federal and state governments working together to provide safer, faster and more efficient transport links.
“This investment from the Australian Government, alongside the Western Australian Government, will provide more transportation options as we continue to build the infrastructure that commuters in this fast-growing area need and deserve.
“This line will create social and economic benefits for locals and visitors who want to explore Perth’s incredible Whiteman Park and beyond.”
Western Australian Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “The METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is powering towards completion – and when it opens later this year it will slash travel times for people across our north-eastern suburbs.
“Communities in our growing north-east corridor have been crying out for better public transport options, and I am incredible proud that our government is making that a reality.”
Image: Stephen.I.Parsons/shutterstock.com
