2021 looks set to be another big year of progress for METRONET, with three projects now moving into the major construction procurement shortlist phase. This includes the main construction contract for the Byford rail extension, the removal of three level crossings through Victoria Park and the construction of a new Midland Station.

Premier Mark McGowan, said METRONET was creating local jobs and helping the Western Australian economy through COVID-19. With the nine Metronet projects in construction and another three major construction contracts to be awarded later in the year, there will be more opportunities for local jobs and businesses to get involved.

The government believes the METRONET projects will re-shape Perth and will provide more jobs right now and critical, targeted infrastructure for generations to come.

According Minister Saffioti, early works on the METRONET Byford Rail Extension are already underway with the removal of the Thomas Road level crossing.

While early works on the Thomas Road level crossing removal continue, two alliances have been shortlisted to design and build METRONET’s Byford Rail Extension project, which will add eight kilometres to the Armadale Line, extending it to Byford with a new station about 400 metres north of Abernethy Road.

Following a Request for Proposal, the Byford Alliance (Downer EDI Works, CPB Contractors Aurecon Australasia, and CareyMC) and MetCONNX Alliance (Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction, Pritchard Francis Consulting, and Kellogg Brown & Root) will now progress to the competitive bid phase, where they will be asked to show how they will deliver the project.

The alliances will also provide additional priced options to potentially expand the project scope and include an elevated rail component, following requests from the City of Armadale and Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

The final scope of the Byford Rail Extension will be subject to stakeholder engagement, price and available funding with the major construction contract to be awarded later this year.

The removal of dangerous level crossings through Victoria Park is also a step closer with two alliances shortlisted for the main construction works at three sites. This METRONET project is expected to have six level crossings removed – Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, as well as Hamilton Street, Wharf Street and William Street, with the contractor asked to price all six removals.

Following an expression of interest period, the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance (Acciona/Coleman Rail, BMD Constructions, WSP Australia, and AECOM Australia) and Elevate Alliance (Downer EDI Works, CPB Contractors, GHD, Aurecon Australasia, and CareyMC) will progress to the competitive bid phase, where they will show how they will deliver the Mint Street, Oats Street and Welshpool Road removals via an elevated rail solution, while also offering a priced option for the Hamilton, Wharf and William streets package.

The removal of the three additional level crossings will be subject to further funding discussions and is expected to be awarded later in the year.

Transform Midland Alliance (Downer EDI Works, SMEC Australia) and Midland Junction Alliance (McConnell Dowell Constructors, Georgiou Group, Arcadis Australia, and BG&E) have have been shortlisted to prepare detailed proposals to design and build Midland’s new train station and associated infrastructure. They will now progress to the competitive bid phase which includes the design and construction of a new station between Helena and Cale streets and the decommissioning and demolishing of the existing 52-year-old train station.

The alliance contract is expected to be awarded in mid-2021.

The projects are jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government, with the Commonwealth committing $530.5 million.

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Date Published: 20 January 2021