Western Australia’s $1.86 billion METRONET Forrestfield Airport Link will soon be completed, with services to begin operating from 9 October.
Testing and commissioning of the project has now entered into its final stages, with driver training currently underway.
The METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link, to be known as the Airport Line once opened, is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, and will be the first passenger rail line to Perth Airport.
The project will deliver three new train stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe, increasing public transport options for Perth’s eastern suburbs and foothills area.
Services are expected to accommodate an average 20,000 daily commuters in its first year of service, increasing to 29,000 by 2032.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the partnership would support thousands of local jobs and improve commuter services for the state.
“The Federal Government is partnering with the Western Australian Government to deliver billions of dollars of upgrades and improvements to road and rail projects around Western Australia, creating and supporting thousands of local jobs,” Mr Albanese said.
“As a former Infrastructure Minister, I know how important access to affordable and accessible public transport is and I’m really pleased this important METRONET project will start operating later this year.
“I look forward to visiting Perth and riding on the new Forrestfield-Airport Link.”
Contracts for the next stage of works have been awarded, with the $625 million Byford Rail Extension awarded to MetCONNX Alliance and the the $701 million Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal project awarded to the Armadale Upgrade Alliance.
The METRONET: Byford Rail Extension will deliver:
- A new ground-level Byford Station with around 400 parking bays, a bus interchange, and pedestrian connections
- Elevated rail through Armadale, with a new elevated Armadale Station
- Removal of eight level crossings at Armadale Road, Forrest Road, Church Avenue, Seventh Road (pedestrian level crossing), Byron Road, Eleventh Road, Thomas Road and Larsen Road – with works already underway on the Thomas Road project
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal project includes:
- The replacement of five level crossings at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street and Wharf Street with elevated rail
- Four new elevated stations at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park and Cannington
- The creation of around six hectares of versatile public space and better community connections through elevated rail
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has welcomed the announcement, with ARA Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Wilkie, calling the opening an important milestone in delivering the 8.5km passenger line to Perth Airport.
“With an average of 20,000 passenger trips expected each day on the new rail line in its first year of operation, METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link will transform how those living in Perth’s eastern suburbs and foothills move around the city,” Ms Wilkie said.
“It will also support domestic and international tourism by making access between the city and Perth Airport quicker and easier for residents and visitors.”
