The alliance, formed between CPB Contractors and Downer, will work closely with Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority to progress the designs and construction schedule once the contract is signed in December. The Western Australian state and Australian federal governments are funding the projects. Downer’s scope of work includes railway construction, relocation of freight lines, station platform extensions, station construction and other station modifications, construction of new road-over-rail bridges and other associated work. Contracts worth a total of around $A 8m ($US 5.4m) are still set to be awarded or currently out for tender. The $A 531.7m Yanchep Rail Extension will add 14.5km to the existing Joondalup Line, with stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep. Early works, including geotechnical investigations, site clearing, fencing and bulk earthworks, are underway with construction due to commence next year. Major construction is due to be completed in 2021, with the first trains expected to be operating in 2022. The Australian government is contributing $A 350m to the project. The Thornlie - Cockburn Link will close a 14.5km gap in the eastern rail corridor by linking the Mandurah and Armadale lines. Stations will be built at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road in Canning Vale, and significant upgrades made to both Thornlie and Cockburn Central stations. Early works on the project will begin later this year. The government of Western Australia announced on August 18 that Alstom Transport Australia would supply and maintain 246 C Series EMU cars for the Perth Metronet network. For detailed information on suburban projects around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
