Minister says the push is on for earlier Clarkson rail link

21/6/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle said today he expected to award contracts by mid next year to extend the urban railway line from Currambine to Clarkson and would examine all options to have the new service up and running before September 2003.
Mr Criddle made the commitment at Currambine today when launching the master plan for the Northern Suburbs Transit System.
The master plan sets out the alignment for the new four-kilometre rail extension to Clarkson, the design and timing of the new Greenwood station, plans for a new railcar facility at Nowergup, and arrangements for relocating the existing Currambine station.
"This master plan gives certainty to businesses, developers and people living in this rapidly expanding region," the Minister said.
He said the extension to Clarkson would cost an estimated $58 million, with a further $23 million for new railcars and was now an integral part of the Government's plan to expand the urban rail system to Mandurah by 2007.
"The Clarkson line is part of the exciting Perth Urban Rail Development Project that will more than double the number of railcars and create a continuous passenger rail link from Mandurah to Clarkson, a distance of 11km," Mr Criddle said.
"The upgrade and expansion of the urban rail network is a $1 billion commitment to Perth's public transport system that will see the Government not only build more rail but spend an estimated $350 million buying 116 new railcars.
"We plan to increase the total number of units to 212 and provide commuters across the network with safe, world-class railcars capable of speeds of 130kph."
Mr Criddle said the Northern Rail Master Plan included details for the construction of the Greenwood station, as well as the new station at Clarkson.
He said the four-kilometre railway extension would be located in the centre of the Mitchell Freeway and terminate at the new Clarkson Transit Station north of Neerabup Road. The route runs between Neerabup National Park and Kinross.
Mr Criddle said the new Clarkson Neighbourhood Centre would be a model for transit-oriented residential developments of the future.
"The neighbourhood concept links the Clarkson Transit Station with the commercial and social centre of the community to ensure easy and safe pedestrian and cycle access," he said.
"Covered paths will connect the bus transfer area to the Station entry, and there will be Kiss 'n' Ride and Park 'n' Ride facilities for car users.
"Peak period travel time between Clarkson and Perth will be 30 minutes at a maximum speed of 130 kmh."
Mr Criddle said that 12 new electric railcars would be required to service passenger demand generated by the new Clarkson and Greenwood stations, plus general growth on the existing network.
He said the expansion of the Northern Suburbs Transit System was an important element in the 'bigger' project, which included construction of the South-West Metropolitan Railway to Mandurah.
"Extensive planning has shown that the full integration of the Northern Suburbs Transit System and the South-West Metropolitan Railway provides the most effective passenger system and use of resources," the Minister said.
"Because of these benefits, the extensions to Mandurah and Clarkson have been brought together as one project to be known as the Perth Urban Rail Development Project."
Documentation is now being prepared to call tenders for the provision of infrastructure for the whole of the Perth Urban Rail Development Project.
It is anticipated that contracts for the extension to Clarkson and the Greenwood station will be issued by the middle of next year, with major contracts for the South-West Metropolitan Railway should be let by early 2002.
It is expected that the cost of the infrastructure for the Perth Urban Rail Development Project will be in the vicinity of $600 million, with rail cars estimated to cost an additional $350 million.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333