Morley–Ellenbrook line
Earthworks for the Morley–Ellenbrook line in the Tonkin Highway median strip near Benara Road in July 2021
Overview
StatusUnder construction
OwnerPublic Transport Authority
LocalePerth, Western Australia
Termini
Stations13
Websitewww.metronet.wa.gov.au
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemTransperth
Operator(s)Transperth Train Operations
Ridership12–18,000 (2031)[1]
History
Opened2024 (planned)
Technical
Line length21 km (13 mi) – new
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC from overhead catenary

The Morley–Ellenbrook line is a planned suburban rail service between the Perth central business district and Ellenbrook in Western Australia. Construction began in 2021 as part of Metronet.[2]

History

A passenger railway through Morley, branching from the Midland line at Bayswater, was included in the 1955 Stephenson-Hepburn Report.[3] However, the government did not incorporate it into the Metropolitan Region Scheme derived from the report when it was adopted in 1963.[4]

A rail line to Ellenbrook was first proposed by the Carpenter Government as an election commitment in the lead up to the 2008 election.[5] The then-opposition Liberal Party matched the commitment, and while they continued to express support for some time after winning the election, a feasibility study was cancelled in 2009 and ultimately nothing eventuated.[6][5] Premier Colin Barnett later declared that there was not yet the demand.

Instead, in 2011, a bus rapid transit system to Ellenbrook was proposed as part of a transport plan to 2031.[7] Before the 2013 election, the opposition Labor Party instead promised a rail line branching from the existing Midland line at Bayswater as part of their Metronet scheme.[8] While the bus system had already undergone design work in 2012, it was ultimately cancelled days before the 2013 election on the basis that its cost was unjustifiable given that rail was still intended to be the long-term plan.[7]

In 2016, ahead of the 2017 election, the Barnett Government proposed a new, modified version of their BRT system to Ellenbrook.[7][9] Also in 2016, they proposed in the longer term a rail tunnel from Perth to Morley, with a possible later extension to Ellenbrook.[10] The opposition Labor Party instead renewed their commitment to build an above-ground line to Ellenbrook and Morley via Bayswater as part of their modified Metronet scheme.[11][12][13][14] After winning the election, the incoming McGowan Government cancelled the BRT plans,[12] but were criticised for delays in planning and funding the rail line.[5][15]

The route alignment for the line was confirmed in August 2019.[16] In April 2020, two consortia were shortlisted by the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.[17] On 22 September 2020, MELconnx Consortium (led by Laing O’Rourke) was announced as the preferred group to build the infrastructure for the line.[18] On 19 October 2020, a construction contract was signed with MELconnx Consortium with early works to begin immediately.[19][20]

Concrete bridge pillars surrounded by scaffolding in a construction site
Bayswater viaduct under construction in September 2023

By March 2023, 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) of track had been laid. The line is planned to open by the end of 2024.[21][22] The original approved budget was $1.123 billion, and the current budget is $1.651 billion. The cost increase was blamed on issues with the supply of labour, equipment, and materials.[23][24]

Route

The new service will share infrastructure with the Midland and Airport lines between Perth and Bayswater. East of Bayswater, five new stations and 21 kilometres (13 mi) of new railway line will be constructed between Bayswater and Ellenbrook for the new service, diverging from the Midland Line.[25][26] The new railway for the service will travel in the centre of Tonkin Highway, through land north of Marshall Road and along the western side of Drumpellier Drive before ending in Ellenbrook.[27]

With the Morley-Ellenbrook line's completion, Bayswater station will become a central junction linking with the existing Midland and Airport lines.[28]

Stations

The service will have five new stations at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook, with a sixth station planned at Bennett Springs East.[27]

  1. Morley Station will be built within Tonkin Highway under the Broun Avenue bridge, with high-frequency bus services connecting it with the Morley town centre.[29]
  2. Noranda Station will connect Benara Road to better serve the surrounding suburbs, located under Benara Road in the Tonkin Highway median.[30]
  3. Malaga Station will serve the people around Ballajura, Alexander Heights, Landsdale and the Malaga employment district.[31]
  4. Whiteman Park Station will serve the people around Brabham and Henley Brook areas and those visiting Whiteman Park.[32]
  5. Ellenbrook Station will be built in the Ellenbrook town centre.[33]

References

  1. ↑ "Parliamentary Debates - Parliament of Western Australia" (PDF). www.parliament.wa.gov.au. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "WA fast-tracks $140 million of transport construction projects". Infrastructure Magazine. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Kennedy, Peter (21 July 2011). "Libs' public transport opportunity". Business News. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  4. ↑ Zimmerman, Josh (21 February 2017). "Grandson of town planner Gordon Stephenson sets record straight". Melville Gazette. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 Strutt, Jessica (17 September 2017). "Ellenbrook rail line shapes up as one of the biggest political footballs in WA history". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  6. ↑ "Dispute over Ellenbrook rail line study". Business News. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Spagnolo, Joe (30 April 2016). "Cancelled rapid bus is back on". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  8. ↑ Preston, Robyn (16 December 2012). "Labor promises new Perth rail network". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "Rapid bus system a step closer for Ellenbrook". PerthNow. 21 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  10. ↑ Kagi, Jacob (2 February 2016). "Perth to Morley underground line mooted instead of light rail". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  11. ↑ Kagi, Jacob (29 July 2016). "WA transport policy battlelines drawn". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  12. 1 2 Caporn, Dylan (30 April 2017). "Ellenbrook train line plan: Lord Street dual carriageway is the first step, says Labor". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  13. ↑ McGowan, Mark; Saffioti, Rita (21 August 2017). "METRONET progress on track". Media Statements. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  14. ↑ Metronet drives Perth expansion plans Archived 2 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 23 August 2017
  15. ↑ "Ellenbrook rail line in sight for residents, as WA Government unveils route". ABC News. 4 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  16. ↑ "Western Australia finalises Morley-Ellenbrook rail line alignment". Railway Technology. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  17. ↑ "Two shortlisted for line construction in Perth area". Railway Pro. 30 April 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  18. ↑ "Preferred proponent named for Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Metronet. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Contract signed for Morley-Ellenbrook Line construction". Rail Express. 19 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  20. ↑ "Signed on the dotted Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Metronet. 19 October 2020. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  21. ↑ Zimmerman, Josh (26 March 2023). "First 1.5km of track laid for Morley-Ellenbrook Line, with Mark McGowan and Rita Saffioti on hand". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  22. ↑ "Joint media statement - First tracks laid on METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Media Statements. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  23. ↑ Office of the Auditor General (2 October 2023). "2023 Transparency Report: Major Projects" (PDF). Parliament of Western Australia. pp. 12, 40. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "Annual Report 2022–2023" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 2023. p. 81. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  25. ↑ Planning works tender for Morley-Ellenbrook line Archived 8 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 27 October 2017
  26. ↑ WA begins Ellenbrook spur line consultation Archived 11 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 19 January 2018
  27. 1 2 "Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Metronet. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  28. ↑ Bayswater Train Station: first stage of Ellenbrook rail line on track Archived 16 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine Perth Now 8 April 2018
  29. ↑ "Morley Station". Metronet. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  30. ↑ "Noranda Station". Metronet. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  31. ↑ "Malaga Station". Metronet. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  32. ↑ "Whiteman Park Station". Metronet. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  33. ↑ "Ellenbrook Station". Metronet. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
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