Perth’s first east-west rail link opening soon
The Western Australian Government has announced the planned opening date for a new train link in Perth.
A major milestone in Perth’s METRONET program will be reached on Monday 9 June, when the long-awaited Thornlie-Cockburn Link officially opens to the public.
The $1.3 billion project will deliver Perth’s first east-west rail connection linking the Mandurah and Armadale Lines for the first time and providing direct access to Optus Stadium from the Mandurah Line.
The new 35-kilometre passenger rail link features two new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, along with upgrades to Thornlie, Cockburn Central and Perth Stadium stations.
Commuters will be able to reach Perth in 27 minutes from Nicholson Road and 31 minutes from Ranford Road.
The Thornlie-Cockburn Link required substantial infrastructure works, including the use of 85,000 sleepers and 180,000 tonnes of gravel.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the project marked a key achievement in METRONET’s ongoing expansion.
“We’ve seen in the past few years how METRONET has transformed our suburbs and the opening of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be one of the most important milestones to date,” he said.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said the project would reshape southern Perth’s public transport landscape.
“The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will transform Perth’s southern suburbs by connecting the Mandurah Line to the Armadale line for the first time,” she said.
The opening will also coincide with the partial reopening of the Armadale Line, following major works to elevate the inner section of the line. Five new elevated stations will open at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park, Cannington and Beckenham.
The inner-line upgrades include the removal of six level crossings and the creation of Perth’s first seven kilometre linear park, aptly named Long Park.
The outer Armadale Line, including stations at Byford and Armadale, is due to reopen in the coming months.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the link was a “complete game changer” for the public transport network.
“We’re going to connect tens of thousands of people to our world class rail network for the first time and deliver a major boost to the capacity and resilience of our network,” she said.
