A significant milestone has been reached in the Metronet Morley-Ellenbrook Line with a $700 million construction contract awarded to the MELconnx Consortium (Laing O-Rourke Australia Construction).

This 21km rail project is the biggest Metronet project to get underway since the Mandurah Line was built in 2007 and is expected to take more than 10,000 car trips off the road by 2031.

The Morley-Ellenbrook Line will provide a significant boost to the Western Australian economy with more than 6,500 local jobs expected to be created during construction.

The project connects the fast-growing northern suburbs with the wider Perth passenger rail network through the construction of a rail line as well as building five new stations at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook with a future station to be developed at Bennett Springs East.

Early works have already started on the new Bayswater Station which is where the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will spur off the Midland Line and the Tonkin Highway Gap projects.

The Tonkin Gap Project includes civil and structural works between Bayswater and Malaga to allow rail access through the Tonkin Highway to prepare for the rail corridor.

The direct cost of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line is estimated at $233 million with the total budget for the rail projects, including contingency, escalation and ancillary costs, is estimated to come in at $1.1 billion.

Premier Mark McGowan stated he’s pleased the main construction contract of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line had been awarded.

“This has been talked about for decades, and after all the broken promises, this is a major step forward for this project, which will transform Perth’s growing north-eastern suburbs and benefit the local and surrounding communities,” he said.

“Now more than ever, big infrastructure projects like Metronet’s Morley-Ellenbrook Line are imperative to Western Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery as they create a pipeline of work and supporting thousands of jobs.

“This year alone we have seven Metronet projects underway, and through our Building for Tomorrow program, we are creating lasting infrastructure for generations to come while creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.”

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge agreed that this $700 million contract paves waves for thousands of jobs for Western Australians.

“All along the Morrison Government have said that Metronet will re-shape Perth and that transformation is underway all across the metropolitan area,” Mr Tudge said.

“It means jobs right now and critical, targeted infrastructure for generations to come.”

It’s expected that all main construction work on the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will be completed by 2023-24.

Source: Media Release