The Public Transport Authority has listed its Request For Proposal (RFP) to construct two Metronet rail lines on Tenders WA this week, in what is one of WA’s biggest ever package of infrastructure works.
The project is part of the Metronet Stage 1 and includes construction of the Yanchep rail extension from Butler Station to Yanchep and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.
The RFP will allow interested consortia to participate in the selection process for the delivery of the two projects – worth a combined $1.1 billion – under a bundled competitive alliance model.
The Thornlie extension includes the passenger line from Beckenham Junction as well as construction of a new 11km dual-gauge freight line and relocation of the existing dual-gauge freight line between Thornlie Station and the Glen Iris Tunnel.
The RFP will close in October with a shortlist announced later this year.
After shortlisting, contractors will be required to provide a detailed bid indicating how they plan to construct the projects, before a contract to the successful bidder is awarded in mid-2019.
Major civil construction companies John Holland, the Downer-CPB Contractors alliance, Laing O’Rourke and an alliance between Clough, Acciona and Georgiou have all expressed interest in participating in the main works contract.
However smaller suppliers should be able to pitch for forward and enabling works early in the new year.
More than 3000 jobs are expected to be created over both projects.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the decision to deliver the project under this model was expected to maximise efficiencies.
“This will also likely be the first big contract delivered under the WA Jobs Law, which will maximise the benefits of the projects to the state by delivering more local jobs for Western Australians,” she said.
The 17.5-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Link will provide Perth’s first east-west rail connection, linking Thornlie and Cockburn train stations.
The project will involve construction of two new train stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road. New train stations will also be built at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep along the Yanchep Rail Extension.
Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said Metronet was a city-shaping project and a critical investment to meeting the demands of population growth for Perth.
“Our $11b investment in roads and rail across Western Australia will create jobs and support economic growth and includes $3.2b in the 2018 Budget for major projects such as Metronet, which are anticipated to support over 20,000 jobs across the state,” he said.
“The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be Perth’s first east-west connection, making travel around the city by train more convenient and improving public transport links to Perth’s southern suburbs.
“The Yanchep Rail Extension is a 14.5-kilometre project that will deliver the final section of the Joondalup rail line from Butler to Yanchep, supporting the area’s ongoing growth as well as reducing congestion on our roads.”
Details for the RFP can be found here.
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