Premier Colin Barnett said the $360million rail component, on track for completion in 2014, literally underpinned the delivery of the entire Perth City Link vision.

“The Perth City Link will fundamentally change the face of Perth and benefit both local people and visitors to our city through reconnecting the CBD and Northbridge for the first time in 100 years,” Mr Barnett said.

“This project is expected to attract more than $3billion of private investment into our State and play a vital role in establishing Perth’s reputation as a world-class city.

“With the Perth Waterfront, Riverside Development, the Perth Cultural Centre and new Perth Stadium, the Perth City Link is part of an era of transformation and I hope all West Australians embrace and enjoy these exciting changes.

“In addition to new entertainment, cultural and lifestyle choices for the WA community, Perth City Link will also help meet a shortage of inner-city residential, commercial and visitor accommodation necessary to support the State’s long-term economic growth.

“This project is set to make Perth a more vibrant place to live and easier to live in by removing the railway line that has acted as a barrier cutting the CBD off from Northbridge.”         

Accompanied by Transport Minister Troy Buswell, Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and Senator Louise Pratt (representing Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese), the Premier sealed artist’s impressions of the completed station with other documents in a time capsule to be buried at the station and opened in 2031.

Mr Buswell said there would be a number of upgrades to Perth Station, including a new pedestrian underpass, linking all platforms to Perth Underground Station, and a new platform on the Roe Street side.

“This project will significantly improve passenger amenity and cater to Perth’s growing public transport needs - it will give our 44,000 city station patrons improved connections, better access and faster transfers between services,” Mr Buswell said.

“The new platform on the Roe Street side of Perth Station will ensure the Public Transport Authority has greater flexibility to service special events, meet future demand and accommodate new projects like the stadium in Burswood.”

 
Fact File

• The rail work is supported by all three tiers of government and is being delivered by the Perth City Link Rail Alliance
• The State Government has provided $336million to sink the Fremantle Line and build the new bus station, and the City of Perth has allocated $38m. The Federal Government has allocated $236million to the rail project
• Additional information is available at http://www.perthcitylink.wa.gov.au  

Transport Minister Troy Buswell today joined Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese for an inspection of the works under way to deliver the $360million rail component of the Perth City Link.

Mr Buswell said the project to sink the Fremantle Line from William Street to Lake/King Street was progressing to plan.

“The Perth City Link is a historic project that will change the face of Perth by reconnecting the CBD and Northbridge for the first time in 100 years,” he said.

“The first steps in realising this vision are to sink the rail line to remove the physical and psychological barrier dividing the CBD and Northbridge.”

Project works to date have included the partial removal of the Western Concourse, partial relocation of the Roe Street Principal Shared Path (PSP) and the start of earthworks for the temporary relocation of the Fremantle Line.

“Work has been under way on site since 2010, however, the recent completion of the removal of a section of the William Street footbridge marked a key, visible milestone,” the Minister said.
 
“The section of the footbridge, also known as the Western Concourse, was removed and lifted over live operating rail and the Joondalup Line tunnels, and was the result of months of planning and consultation.

“The partial removal of the footbridge will allow the temporary relocation of the Fremantle Line, which ensures train services can continue while the new tunnel is built.”

The Fremantle Line tunnel construction is expected to begin in early 2012, with work scheduled for completion in 2014.

      Fact File

• The rail project involves funding support from all three tiers of government, and is being undertaken by the Perth City Link Rail Alliance
• he State Government has allocated a total of $336million to the sinking of the railway and the Wellington Street Bus Station. The City of Perth has allocated $38million. The Federal Government has allocated $236million to the rail component of the project.
• http://www.perthcitylink.wa.gov.au/

A section of track between Perth and Whitfords was affected by a communications problem between the track and Transperth’s Train Control Room.  As a result, trains have to move slowly through various sections, creating significant delays in both directions.

The problem lasted for about an hour and was rectified by about 4pm.

However, the impact of the delays is expected to flow through into the afternoon peak and will also have an impact on the Mandurah Line.

A section of track between Leederville and Warwick is affected by a communications problem between the track and Transperth’s Train Control Room.

As a result, trains have to move slowly through various sections, creating significant delays in both directions.

Though Transperth is working to correct the fault, the impact of the delays is expected to flow through into the afternoon peak.

Depending on how long it takes to rectify the fault, the Mandurah Line could also be affected.

The Transperth ticket machines were not re-programmed to take account of the fact that the Queen’s Birthday public holiday has been shifted from today to October 28, so they would not issue parking vouchers – because parking is free of charge on public holidays.

This applied to both cash and SmartRider-paid parking.

No PTA parking infringements will be issued today for failing to display a ticket.

About 5250 bays across the system are affected, representing $10,500 in parking revenue.

The machines will be programmed to recognise the revised holiday date, October 28.