Introducing the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line

KEE Surfacing is excited to announce that they have been awarded the contract for the supply and installation of asphalt for MELConnx Alliance, the project team responsible for delivering the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line. This highly anticipated project aims to directly connect the rapidly growing north-eastern suburbs of Perth with the wider passenger rail network in the city. Expected to be completed by the end of 2024, this project marks a significant expansion of the rail network, becoming the longest METRONET rail project since the Mandurah Line’s opening in 2007.

 

Connecting Communities and Expanding Perth’s Rail Network

Spanning a distance of 21 kilometers, the double-track rail line will feature five new stations seamlessly integrated with parking and bus facilities. The rail alignment will follow the center of Tonkin Highway, traverse land north of Marshall Road, run along the western side of Drumpellier Drive, and conclude in Ellenbrook, south of The Parkway. With an estimated reduction of 10,000 car trips per day in the north-eastern suburbs by 2031, as stated by the Western Australian government, the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is poised to offer improved transportation options and alleviate traffic congestion.

As the largest public transport endeavor in Perth since the Mandurah Line, this project is set to generate approximately 6,500 job opportunities while contributing to the development of vibrant new communities. Commencing at Bayswater Station on the Midland Line, the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will enhance travel options for residents and workers in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs.

 

Stations and Route: Enhancing Travel Options for North-Eastern Suburbs

The route connects Ellenbrook’s town center to Bayswater Station, intersecting with various locations along the way. Notably, the line will serve stations in Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park, and Ellenbrook, with plans for a future station at Bennett Springs East. The project also includes the reconstruction of Bayswater Station, transforming it into a four-platform station featuring additional rail infrastructure and integrated bus services.

With works progressing rapidly, the development of the Whiteman Park Station is of particular interest. Positioned as a major transport hub on the new METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Train Line, the station will feature an entrance at ground level, accompanied by two elevated platforms. The installation of beams to complete the raised rail structure is currently underway, with 12 out of the required 40 beams already in place. Once all beams are installed, concrete will be poured to finalize the viaduct structure. Whiteman Park Station is projected to offer 900 parking bays, 10 bus stands, and a pedestrian walkway beneath Drumpellier Drive, ensuring safe access for residents in the surrounding communities.

To provide locals with a glimpse of the station’s future appearance upon its scheduled operational debut in late 2024, the State Government has released new flythrough images. These visuals showcase the elevated platforms, a beautifully landscaped station forecourt, and inviting grassed areas that will greet passengers upon arrival. Whiteman Park Station will serve the Henley Brook, Dayton, West Swan, and Brabham communities, which are expected to flourish over the next decade with the construction of 12,000 new homes, accommodating approximately 32,000 residents by 2036.

 

Significant Time Savings and Enhanced Connectivity

To optimize the benefits of this significant transportation investment, the Whiteman Park Station Precinct Concept Master Plan has been established. This master plan outlines a shared vision for the station precinct, guiding future structure planning in Brabham and informing updates to the Whiteman Park Strategic Plan. By creating a central hub equipped with modern facilities to meet daily transportation needs, the station will cater to both current and future communities.

Commuters utilizing Whiteman Park Station will experience a shortened travel time of 25 minutes from the Perth CBD on the new Morley-Ellenbrook Line, effectively reducing the current bus journey duration by 20 minutes.

Funding has been provided jointly by the Federal and State Governments. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the emergence of the METRONET Whiteman Park Station as a focal point in the growing region. With 21 kilometers of new rail and five new stations, the Morley-Ellenbrook Line is transforming from plans on paper to a remarkable reality that will benefit the community.

 

Source: Metronet, WA Gov