The federal budget includes major additional funding to cover the enormous cost blowouts that have dragged on the Metronet budget in the past year.
Stage one of the Labor government’s flagship Metronet project climbed $2 billion in 2023 alone,taking the total cost of the network to around $11.5 billion.
Three months after beginning Perth’s most lengthy and disruptive rail shutdown ever,the government remains confident of the opening date – and of people’s patience.
The line will include 1.3 kilometres of new tram tracks,3900 rail sleepers and 3000 tonnes of ballast.
Since December last year,the cost of delivering Metronet has ballooned by an eye-watering amount,taking the total cost of the network north of $11 billion.
About 10,000 Armadale line commuters were forced to take rail replacement buses,find their way to the Mandurah line,or work from home from Monday morning.
Questions have been raised as to whether extensive renovations to the Armadale train line will finish on time and budget,given the time taken to refurbish a small suburban bridge.
Around 13,000 commuters will be thrown into buses and cars when the Armadale line shuts down until mid-2025. WAtoday crunched the numbers to estimate their new commutes.
The PTA said the analogue radio network was “beyond its end of life” but will have to be maintained for several years until the network is digitised.
The station forms part of the $797 million Byford rail extension Metronet project.
The line will be closed for 18 months with a third of commuters telling WAtoday they planned to drive into work during the disruption and pray for a car park.