Minister to commence extension to the Northern Suburbs Transit System

2/5/01
Earthworks on the four-kilometre extension of the Northern Suburbs Transit System from Currambine to Clarkson will begin this week.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today the $10 million earthwork contract signified the start of an $81 million project to extend rail services to the growing northern suburbs.
"Extending services in the northern suburbs builds on the previous Labor Government's initiative to build the Northern Suburbs Railway, which has become a model for rail technology in cities such as Perth with low density urban development," Ms MacTiernan said.
Brierty Contractors Pty Ltd is the successful contractor, while the superintendent of the works is Gutteridge Haskins and Davey Pty Ltd Consulting Engineers.
The Minister said construction of the Burns Beach Road Bridge would be awarded by June. Tenders for these works had closed and were being evaluated.
Tenders for stations at Clarkson, Currambine and Greenwood would be called towards the end of this year.
The Northern Suburbs Transit System extensions consist of approximately four kilometres of double-track railway to Clarkson and two kilometres of single-track railway to a proposed rail care depot at Nowergup. The extensions will be located in the proposed future Mitchell Freeway median.
Clarkson station will have Park 'n' Ride facilities, pedestrian and cycle access, escalators and lifts. The station will be incorporated in a joint venture development of Clarkson township.
Ms MacTiernan said the delivery of new passenger railcars for the Clarkson service was an integral part of the total railcar supply of 36 three-car train units for the network extension incorporating the South West Metropolitan Railway to Mandurah.
"Tenders for the supply of the new railcars closed on April 12 and it is anticipated that a contract will be awarded in mid-July," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Services to Clarkson are scheduled to begin in September 2003, when a sufficient number of new trains will be available. The new trains will be the latest technology and capable of running at 130kmh.
"The experience and knowledge we have gained in the northern suburbs will be invaluable as we extend the rail service to the south metropolitan region."
Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 9213 6400