Preferred tenderer announced for Thornlie station

12/2/04
The preferred tenderer for construction of the new Thornlie Railway Station and associated works has been announced as Barclay Mowlem Constructions Limited.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the new station would offer 15-minute services to an expected 3,500 passengers on weekdays.
"Subject to satisfactory final negotiations we expect to award the contract by the end of this month with work to start almost immediately afterwards," Ms MacTiernan said.
Works covered by the contract include:

• construction of the Thornlie Railway Station;
• construction of a road bridge at Spencer Road;
• construction of a rail bridge over the Canning River; and
• construction of an electrified spur railway line from Beckenham Junction.

The Minister said preparatory works for construction were well advanced, including the temporary re-alignment of Spencer Road, at the Spencer Village Shopping Centre.
"Thornlie station will be a major transit node that will accommodate bus/rail interchanges, car-drop off and pick-up facilities, pedestrian and bicycle access as well as parking for 450 cars.
"Construction time for practical completion of the contract will be no more than 50 weeks - meaning that services will begin in February next year.
"The short delay - caused by extending the tendering period - was necessary to make sure we secured competitive and quality bids for the work.
"Because of the sheer volume of tendering activity for the whole New MetroRail project underway at the time, many potential contractors for the works at Thornlie were working on other bids.
"In the end the strategy delivered five quality bids, providing the best value for money for the people of Western Australia."
Ms MacTiernan said that given the circumstances she was confident the amended timeframe would not diminish the great enthusiasm of local residents for the NMR project to Thornlie.
The contract is worth approximately $30million - the final value will be announced when the contract had been awarded.

Minister's office: 9213 6400