Butler Station moves step closer as track laid

• Track-laying starts for Butler railway extension
• Services expected to start in late 2014

Transport Minister Buswell today inspected progress on the $240million railway expansion project to extend the Joondalup Line 7.5km north, to the new Butler Station.

The visit coincides with the start of work to lay the track and install the overhead traction wiring equipment. 

The track work starts near the southern end of the Nowergup railcar depot, just north of the existing end-station at Clarkson, and progresses north.

In this $24million part of the Butler project, 26,500 concrete sleepers, 40,000 tonnes of ballast and 1,750 tonnes of steel rail will be laid in anticipation of the first passenger train to visit Butler Station in late 2014.

The work involves building a total 13km of track - including single as well as double track - from Clarkson Station to Butler Station and 5.4km of track within the Nowergup railyard.

The track work, being carried out under contract by John Holland, has started as the project's major civil contract covering earthworks and the construction of three bridges comes to an end.

The new part of the Joondalup Line is expected to be operating by December 2014.

      Fact File

• 26,500 concrete sleepers, 40,000 tonnes of ballast and 1,750 tonnes of steel to be laid
• More information at: http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Projects/ButlerExtensionProject/tabid/245/Default.aspx

Minister's office - 6552 6400