PREMIER Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti visited the Alkimos station site today to view progress on the project.
The McGowan Government said $30 million worth of contracts had been awarded for the Yanchep rail extension awarded during the past two months.
This has included contracts to Paving Solutions WA – to supply and install limestone retaining walls worth about $1m, WA Limestone – about $1.2m for material supply and Permacast about $2.5m for pre-cast concrete platforms.
On an average day, more than 40 pieces of heavy-duty plant equipment are operating across the Metronet Yanchep rail extension project’s six sites and this will grow to up to 200 during peak construction, with about 400 workers currently employed across all sites.
Since moving to the site, contractor NEWest Alliance (CPB Contractors and Downer) has completed a significant amount of work and completed utility service relocations on Yanchep Beach Rd and Pipidinny Rd.
Significant additional materials will be required to build the railway extension, including more than 9000 tonnes of steel.
More than 350,000 blocks will be used to build retaining walls on the project.
Earthworks are a significant portion of the work to be completed, with 1.75 million cubic metres of earth to be excavated in total for the project.
Excavation is well underway at Alkimos, with 700,000 cubed metres to be extracted from this site alone.
Excavation is well underway at Alkimos, with 700,000 cubed metres to be extracted from this site alone. Picture: MetronetThe northern suburbs are set to boom with 5384 proposed residential lots in Yanchep, Eglinton and Alkimos currently with conditional approval, while an additional 485 lots were given recent final approval with the issue of certificates of title.
The $531m project will enable travel from Yanchep into the central business district in 49 minutes, with construction expected to be completed in late 2022.
Mr McGowan and Ms Saffioti were joined by Butler MLA John Quigley and Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton on the site visit where they also met workers including a new trainee, Elly Thompson, who recently graduated from the new TAFE infrastructure ready short course.
Fifteen graduates have been hired for roles across major infrastructure projects including the Yanchep rail extension, Thornlie-Cockburn Link and High Wycombe train station.
A further 35 students are enrolled in the infrastructure ready course, with almost half of them women.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said the infrastructure ready short course was developed in consultation with industry to ensure students gain the skills needed for entry-level civil construction jobs.
“The course is a vital launch pad to entry-level jobs in civil construction that will provide pathways to full qualifications. I encourage anyone interested in this field to apply,’’ she said.
“The program will help engage displaced workers, including young people, women and mature age job seekers, to meet immediate and emerging skills requirements.”
