comment BUILDING FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL
WEST AUSTRALIANS HON. RITA SAFFIOTI, WA MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND PORTS
T
he McGowan Government continues to deliver on our commitment to improve Western Australia’s transport infrastructure with 2021 seeing an unprecedented level of investment across the state. Our Building for Tomorrow program of works is making WA better connected than ever before, with new train stations and shared paths, safer roads and upgraded marine facilities all working together to improve connections for communities. Over 80 major projects are completed, under construction or in planning across metropolitan and regional areas, with more than 72 kilometres of new rail
“OVER 80 MAJOR PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED, UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN PLANNING ACROSS METROPOLITAN AND REGIONAL AREAS, WITH MORE THAN 72 KILOMETRES OF NEW RAIL LINE, 150 KILOMETRES OF NEW CYCLE PATHS, UPGRADES TO EIGHT MARINE FACILITIES, OVER $400 MILLION INVESTED IN THE CITY’S FREEWAYS AND AN EXTENSIVE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL ROADS ALL UNDERWAY.” line, 150 kilometres of new cycle paths, upgrades to eight marine facilities, over $400 million invested in the city’s freeways and an extensive safety improvement program for regional roads all underway. Together, these projects will transform our state’s transport network with an unprecedented investment in road, rail and cycling projects easing congestion and creating local jobs. The billions of dollars being invested will service WA’s 6
ROADS DECEMBER 2021
growing population into the future, providing strong transport connections for communities and enabling Western Australians to safely and easily travel throughout our state. During 2021, the METRONET program of works achieved significant milestones as we continue to work towards delivering this major transformation to Perth’s rail network – creating a well-connected city with more transport, housing and employment choices. The first of fifteen METRONET projects to be completed, the Bellevue Railcar Assembly Facility opened in June, returning rail car manufacturing to Western Australia after 27 years. The first of 246 new C-series railcars are due to roll off the assembly line in 2022, with more than 200 local workers employed at the facility. This project was one of several projects contributing to over $80 million worth of services awarded across the transport portfolio to Aboriginal businesses last financial year. The METRONET level crossing removal program will see up to nine crossings removed over the coming years, greatly improving safety, traffic flow and travel times for these communities. The first of these, in Perth’s southern suburb of Kelmscott, was closed in on 1 April. The new rail over road underpass, which involved lifting 850 metres of rail line, has been in use since mid-2021. Next year METRONET’s most significant milestone to date will be delivered, as we open the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link, delivering a new rail service to our eastern suburbs and providing a viable alternative to car travel for an expected 20,000 daily passengers while connecting Perth Airport to the CBD. Alongside the extensive METRONET works program are major upgrades to metropolitan and regional roads, further transforming travel in and around Western Australia.
The increasing number of visitors to WA’s popular south west will have noticed construction of the region’s biggest ever road infrastructure project, Bunbury Outer Ring Road, is now underway. Once complete, the 27 kilometre, four-lane, freeway standard road will give locals and tourists better access to the BunburyGeographe area and the wider south west region. This project will create thousands of jobs as well as provide opportunities for local businesses. In the well-known port city of Fremantle, the High Street Upgrade project is nearing completion and will improve safety, freight efficiency and traffic flow. It’s not only road traffic benefitting, walkers and bike riders are set to enjoy two new underpasses, enabling safer and better connected journeys. Over the coming years these projects, along with many more currently under construction or in planning, in both metropolitan and regional areas, will create a transport network providing West Australians more choice in how they travel and enable communities to thrive. Visit www.buildingfortomorrow.wa.gov.au to find out more.
