Contracts awarded for work on northern suburbs transit system

Two northern suburbs rapid transit system contracts worth $7 million and creating work for about 225 people were announced today.

Transport Minister Pam Beggs said John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd had been awarded the $4.2 million contract for work associated with stage two of the Perth station extensions.

The extension included a new pedestrian overpass at the western end of the station to link the platforms and give commuters direct access to the central business district, Northbridge and the upper level of the Wellington street bus station.

The bridge also would be an access for city workers going to and from Northbridge and for shoppers using the extensive car parking facilities north of the rail line.

Mrs Beggs said during construction, beginning this week, the pedestrian walkway between the Wellington Street bus station and Perth train station would be closed.

Pedestrians would be able to get to Perth station using a specially built ramp running from the Wellington Street overpass to the traffic lights at the corner of Wellington and William streets.

The work was due to be finished by the end of October.

The second tender was for the Glendalough station. The $2.8 million contract was awarded to Transfield Construction Pty Ltd's Sabemo WA Division.

The station's design had posed a set of criteria different from those of the other stations because at the site the Mitchell Freeway passed over Scarborough Beach Road.

This meant the station platform, being in the middle of the freeway medium, was raised with access from a street-level entrance below.

"Escalators, stairs and a lift have been incorporated into the design and roof-height screens along both sides of part of the 100 metre long platform will protect passengers from adverse weather conditions," Mrs Beggs said.

"Glendalough station also is a bus interchange and buses will pull off Scarborough Beach Road into a bus lane enabling passengers to alight close to the station entrance."

The design also included parking for about 200 cars.

Work on the station was due to begin in mid-May and be completed in November.