A large section of the Arc Infrastructure freight line is being relocated, which will enable works to begin for the next stage of the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link Project.

In the coming months, about 11km of new freight line track will be installed in both directions on the northern side of the rail corridor, between Kwinana Freeway, Jandakot and Spencer Road Bridge in Canning Vale.

Once the new tracks are built, the old section of freight line will be removed. This will make space on the south side of the rail corridor for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link passenger line, which will operate side by side in the existing rail corridor.

More than 5km of retaining walls have been built ahead of these works to allow ground levels to be adjusted to make way for the new rail.

Once works are complete, freight operations will improve with new tracks and nearby residents will benefit from noise walls and under-ballast matting, reducing overall rail noise and vibration.    

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti praised the co-operation between the Public Transport Authority and Arc Infrastructure to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome, with minimal inconvenience.

Arc Infrastructure Chief Executive Officer Murray Cook said the State’s freight rail network was proud to play a role in facilitating what will be a transformative transport project for Western Australia.