The Federal Government has released a Request for Proposal to build Perth's new METRONET rail lines, described as Perth's most ambitious public transport program. 

The RFP calls on construction companies to deliver the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension under a bundled competitive alliance model. It will represent one of WA's biggest ever package of infrastructure works.

Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said METRONET was a city-shaping project and a critical investment to meeting the demands of population growth for Perth.

“The projects will bring together new rail infrastructure and new urban centres around stations to improve liveability and tackle congestion in Western Australia,” Tudge said.

“The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be Perth's first east-west connection, making travel around the city by train more convenient and improving public transport links to Perth's southern suburbs.”

“The Yanchep Rail Extension is a 14.5km project that will deliver the final section of the Joondalup rail line from Butler to Yanchep, supporting the area's ongoing growth as well as reducing congestion on our roads.”

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said construction of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link would reduce reliance on our existing radial railway network and provide new options for train travel for eastern suburbs residents, along with a direct link from the Mandurah Line to Optus Stadium.

“Our plans for METRONET are taking shape, and the release of the RFP for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Extension is a significant milestone,” Saffioti said.

“These public transport links will also transform the areas they travel through, from under-utilised industrial or rural areas to bustling new urban centres with a host of residential and business opportunities.

“This will also likely be the first big contract delivered under the WA Jobs Law, which will maximise the benefits of the projects to the state by delivering more local jobs for Western Australians.”

Applications close in October, with the shortlist to be announced in 2018.

After shortlisting, contractors will be required to provide a detailed bid indicating how they plan to construct the projects, before a contract to the successful bidder is awarded in mid-2019.

The 17.5-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Link will provide Perth's first east-west rail connection, linking Thornlie and Cockburn train stations. The project will involve construction of two new train stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road. New train stations will also be built at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.

For more information on each of the projects, visit the Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link project pages.