The final piece of the Western Australian government’s flagship Metronet project, the long-awaited Byford rail extension in Perth’s south-east, is set to open tomorrow. This significant development comes at a cost of $1.33 billion, exceeding the original budget by half a billion dollars.
Community events were held today to celebrate this milestone, which extends the existing Armadale line 8 kilometers south to a new ground-level station in Byford. The new line will enable commuters to travel from Byford to Perth in just 46 minutes, a change expected to transform local transit dynamics.
Project Completion Amidst Challenges
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti expressed pride and relief at seeing the project come to fruition. “We’ve opened the airport line, the Yanchep line, the Ellenbrook line, and of course the Thornlie-Cockburn link — this is the last rail line to open as part of that Metronet vision,” she said.
The Byford Rail Extension was initially projected to cost $797 million. However, the final expenditure rose to $1.33 billion. Ms. Saffioti attributed the cost overrun to COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, and an expanded project scope.
“The first couple of years [of the project] was very, very tough. Basically, you’ve got a massive agenda to deliver…getting the planning underway, negotiating the funding, then we went through COVID,” she explained.
She also noted that unforeseen global conflicts, such as those in Russia and the Middle East, further complicated the project’s execution.
Impact on Local Community
The opening of the Byford rail extension is a significant development for the rapidly growing population in the region. Rob Coles, President of the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, highlighted the importance of the project.
“About 75 percent of our residents leave the shire each day and go to work, and on average they travel about 23 kilometers one way,” he said. “We are currently the fastest growing local government in WA and number three in Australia, the growth is rapid and things like the train station and other infrastructure really is so important.”
Local businesses have eagerly anticipated the opening, having endured the closure of a large section of the Armadale line for almost two years. Hair salon owner Sharlene Sandiana expressed optimism about improved transport links bringing more customers.
“Transport around here has been pretty bad for the last few years, so it’ll be great,” she said. “We’re already quite busy here as it is, so hopefully it’ll get a little bit busier; a bit of extra passing traffic, a bit of good exposure.”
Challenges During Construction
Byford pharmacy assistant Bridget Ellement noted that roadworks related to the project impacted some businesses, affecting road access and customer traffic.
“It affected the road access and people just found it a bit harder, so they were like, ‘Oh well, I’ll just go to a different pharmacy or go to a different area,'” she said. “I know the bakery next door…struggled a little bit. They were closing a bit earlier, which was a bit disappointing to see, but we’re definitely excited to see [the train line] open and see more people.”
Ms. Ellement also mentioned that the new rail line would improve accessibility for elderly residents needing to access health services in Armadale.
Infrastructure Enhancements
As part of the project, seven level train crossings have been removed, and two new road-over-rail bridges have been constructed. Additionally, 8 kilometers of new walking and cycling paths have been created, enhancing the area’s infrastructure.
Since November 2023, thousands of commuters in Perth’s south-east faced disruptions due to the closure of sections of the Armadale/Thornlie line. The Armadale line between Cannington and Perth stations reopened in June with the new Thornlie-Cockburn line, while the remainder between Beckenham and Armadale stations will reopen tomorrow, alongside the new Byford Station.
The completion of the Byford rail extension marks a significant achievement in the Metronet project, promising to ease commutes, boost local businesses, and accommodate the region’s rapid growth. As the community looks forward to the benefits of the new infrastructure, the challenges faced during its construction serve as a testament to the project’s complexity and ambition.
