Preferred proponents announced for major METRONET projects

The preferred proponents for the METRONET Byford Rail Extension and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal projects have been announced.

The Western Australian Government has announced the preferred proponents for two key METRONET projects, the Byford Rail Extension and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal projects, which are set to transform Perth’s Armadale Line.

The MetCONNX Alliance, comprising Laing O’Rourke, Pritchard Francis Consulting and Kellog Brown & Root, will design and construct the new Byford Rail Extension while the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance, comprising Acciona, BMD, WSP and AECOM, has been selected to remove level crossings along the Armadale Line.

The new ground-level Byford Station in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Byford will include up to 600 passenger parking bays, a new bus interchange and a new pedestrian connection across the rail line. As part of the eight-kilometre extension to the Armadale Line, passengers will enjoy a 42-minute train journey from Byford to Perth.

Early work on the Byford Rail Extension is already underway on the Thomas Road Over Rail Project.

Following additional funding from the Federal Government in May 2021, the Byford Rail Extension project has expanded to include removing level crossings at Armadale Road, Forrest Road and Church Avenue by elevating the rail and Armadale Station in this area.

The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project will see five level crossings removed along the Armadale Line by raising the rail over the road at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street and Wharf Street.

New elevated stations will also be built at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park and Cannington, which will enable safer and improved rail connections to schools and businesses.

The Federal and Western Australian Governments have worked together to allocate up to an additional $600 million to these two major projects and the New METRONET Midland Station project.

The current total budget for the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project is $415 million, while the Byford Rail Extension has an estimated cost of $635 million.

Western Australia Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said negotiations with the preferred proponent for each project would now commence to finalise the detailed scope and cost of the project, before an Alliance contract is signed in coming months.

“We’re another step closer to saying ‘Bye Bye Boom Gates’, with negotiations now underway with a preferred proponent to deliver the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project. This project will completely revitalise Victoria Park and Cannington, with new elevated stations to be constructed, freeing up land under the train line for community use,” she said.

“I will also be working with local members and key stakeholders about an action strategy for the land that will be freed up under the elevated rail,” she added.

The alliance contracts are expected to be awarded early next year.