Rail relocation complete for Thornlie-Cockburn Link

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The relocation of 22-kilometres of freight rail is now complete, making way for the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link, Perth’s first east to west connecting rail line.

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will aim to make travel around the city by train more flexible and providing a higher level of public transport service to Perth’s southern suburbs.

The freight rail needed to be relocated to the northern side of the rail corridor to allow for construction of the new METRONET Thornlie Cockburn-Link. The existing freight rail and the new Thornlie-Cockburn Link will operate side-by-side in the rail corridor.

With the relocation of the freight line now complete, works can now begin on the passenger rail and new stations. Construction on the entry building for the Nicholson Road Station is now underway. Track laying for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link will also get underway shortly.

These relocation works included the construction of an entirely new freight line, consisting of 70,000 tonnes worth of ballast, 33,000 concrete sleepers and 400 tonnes of track.

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The NEWest Alliance, consisting of Public Transport Authority, CPB Contractors and Downer Group was formed to deliver the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the complex task was years in the planning and overcame a number of challenges.

“The relocation of the freight rail is critical to the overall METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link project, as it means we can now get to work on the passenger rail and new stations,” she said.

“The 17.5km extension from Thornlie to Cockburn Central will serve the current and future growth occurring between the Mandurah and Armadale lines and address gaps in public transport in these communities as well as provide a direct link to Optus Stadium for Mandurah Line passengers.”