About the Mandurah Line and New MetroRail
The $1.66 billion New MetroRail project - the largest public transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in Western Australia - has effectively doubled Perth's metropolitan rail network.
Construction commenced in 2002. Works to extend the Joondalup Line and upgrade the Armadale Line, including adding the new Thornlie spur line, have been completed, and 93 new railcars and a major new railcar depot are already in operation.
The centrepiece of the project is the Mandurah Line (formerly known as the Southern Suburbs Railway) from Perth to Mandurah, which is due to be opened on Sunday 23 December, 2007.
The Mandurah Line comprises 72 route kilometres of double-track railway, 11 stations, 774m of twin tunnels under the Perth CBD, 20 bridges and strucutres, significant road and civil works, a 25kV overhead wiring system, and two electrical substations.
The project has successfully met complex engineering challenges including the design and construction of underground tunnels in Perth's CBD. This has opened up opportunities to revitalise shopping and business areas. The project will provide people with better access to the Swan River foreshore and a doorstop service to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Local bus services will make connections with the new Mandurah Line to increase access and provide a truly integrated public transport system.
The environment will benefit, traffic problems will be reduced and Western Australians will be able to travel in safety and comfort to work, schools and to take up recreation options.
New MetroRail has been responsible for the:
- Construction of the Mandurah Line (which includes the works through Perth)
- The extension to the Northern Suburbs Railway to Clarkson
- A spur line off the Armadale Line to a new station at Thornlie
- Manufacture of 93 new state-of-the-art railcars
- From Sunday 23 December when the new Mandurah Line is officially opened, New MetroRail will cease operations.
The Mandurah Line will become part of the Transperth network and all enquiries relating to the new train and bus services should be directed to Transperth.
Fast Facts
The New MetroRail project has been momentous for the Public Transport Authority, and for Western Australia. Below are some interesting fast facts that are sure to impress!
Mandurah Line fast facts
- 81.5 route kilometres and 163 track kilometres of narrow gauge railway
- 2.8 million cubic metres of earthworks
- 252,000 concrete sleepers
- 15,200 tonnes of 50kg rail track
- 650 tonnes of 60kg rail track
- 22 kilometres of slab track
- 145,000 cubic metres of ballast
- 1,690 precast concrete masts
- 163,000 cubic metres of concrete with 22,300 tonnes of reinforcement
- 20 bridges and structures
- 15 stations
- 5,400 car bays
- 40 lifts
- 40 escalators
- 3 electrical feeder stations (25KV a.c power)
New MetroRail fast facts
- New MetroRail (NMR) is the largest public transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in Western Australia.
- It will effectively double Transperth’s rail network, extending from Clarkson in the north to Mandurah in the south
- The total all day weekday passenger trips on the urban rail network is expected to grow by 68% - from 101,395 in 2001 to 170,500 in 2007
- There will be 93 new railcars (making a total of 189 railcars) which can travel at speeds up to 130kmh and a new railcar maintenance and storage depot at Nowergup (north of Clarkson)
- The completed project will reach four times the population that is currently serviced by the railway
- The Mandurah Line will travel in the centre of the Kwinana Freeway from Thomas Road and over the Narrows Bridge, it will then tunnel under William Street before linking up with the Northern Suburbs Railway.
- There are two new stations in the city, Esplanade Station and Perth Underground, which connects to Perth Station and provides pedestrian access to the Murray Street Mall
- NMR has constructed a new Spur Line off the Armadale Line to a station at Spencer Road, Thornlie.
- NMR has extended the Northern Suburbs Railway with a 4km extension from Currambine to Clarkson, new stations at Clarkson and Greenwood and Platform Extensions to seven existing stations on the line