Morley–Ellenbrook line

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Morley–Ellenbrook line
narrow gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC from overhead catenary
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)
SignallingFixed block signalling
Train protection systemAutomatic train protection

The Morley–Ellenbrook line is an under construction suburban rail service between the Perth central business district and Ellenbrook in Western Australia. Construction began in 2021 as part of Metronet, and it is planned to open in late 2024.

History

A passenger railway through Morley, branching from the Midland line at Bayswater, was included in the 1955 Stephenson-Hepburn Report.[1] However, the government did not incorporate it into the Metropolitan Region Scheme derived from the report when it was adopted in 1963.[2]

A rail line to Ellenbrook was first proposed by the

Liberal Party matched the commitment, and while they continued to express support for some time after winning the election, a feasibility study was cancelled in 2009 and ultimately nothing eventuated.[4][3] Premier Colin Barnett
later declared that there was not yet the demand.

Instead, in 2011, a

Labor Party instead promised a rail line branching from the existing Midland line at Bayswater as part of their Metronet scheme.[6] While the bus system had already undergone design work in 2012, it was ultimately cancelled days before the 2013 election on the basis that its cost was unjustifiable given that rail was still intended to be the long-term plan.[5]

In July 2016, the [email protected] million plan was published. It said a rail line to Ellenbrook would not be needed until after 2050. Instead, a tunnel from Perth to Morley would be built as the first stage of a rail line to East Wanneroo and that the Ellenbrook line would later be built as a spur off that line.[7][8][9] A week later, Barnett backtracked, saying that a rail line to Ellenbrook would be constructed "well before" 2050.[10] The final version of the [email protected] million report, published in February 2017, said that a rail line to Ellenbrook would be needed before 2050.[11]

In 2016, ahead of the

McGowan Government cancelled the BRT plans,[15] but were criticised for delays in planning and funding the rail line.[3][18]

Earthworks for the Morley–Ellenbrook line near Benara Road in July 2021

The finalised route for the Morley–Ellenbrook line was revealed in August 2019, with the state government saying that it considered 100 possible routes. It said the main engineering challenges of the decided alignment were making the line enter and exit Tonkin Highway. The number and location of stations was also finalised, with there being five stations: Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park, and Ellenbrook. It was also announced that the scope of upgrades to Bayswater station would be increased to add extra platforms for the Morley–Ellenbrook line. The expected opening date at the time was 2022–23.[19][20]

Infrastructure Australia assessed the Morley–Ellenbrook line as a priority project in May 2020, enabling the project to receive $500 million of federal funding.[21] In June 2020, the project definition plan was released.[22][23]

In September 2020, the MELconnx Consortium, consisting of Laing O'Rourke, was shortlisted as the preferred proponent to build the Morley–Ellenbrook line,[24] and in October 2020, the contract with the MELconnx Consortium was signed, at a cost of $700 million.[25][26][27]

By January 2022, work was underway on building Ellenbrook station.[28] By March 2023, the first 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) of track had been laid, between Whiteman Park station and Gnangara Road.[29][30] By June 2023, the installation of beams for the Whiteman Park station viaduct had begun.[31]

The May 2023 state budget revealed the project's cost had increased by $528.1 million,[32] bringing the total cost to $1.651 billion.[33] The original approved budget was $1.123 billion, and the current budget is $1.651 billion. The cost increase was blamed on issues with the supply of labour, equipment, and materials.[34]

By March 2024, 75 percent of tracklaying had been done and Ellenbrook station was complete, making it the first of the new stations to be complete.[35][36] From 28 March to 8 April 2024, the Airport and Midland lines will be shut down so that the tracks through Bayswater station can be realigned and the connection to the Morley–Ellenbrook line be constructed.[37][38]

Description

Route

The Morley–Ellenbrook line will branch off the Midland line at

siding west of Daglish station, where they will turn around to head back to Ellenbrook.[39]
: 24 

Long concrete viaduct viewed from far away
Bayswater viaduct under construction in January 2024, viewed from Tonkin Highway

The Morley–Ellenbrook line will split from the Midland line just west of Bayswater station; the Morley–Ellenbrook line will use the two inner tracks at Bayswater station and the Midland line will use the two outer tracks, allowing Morley–Ellenbrook line services to either terminate at there or continue to Perth station. Bayswater station will also be a transfer point with Airport line services, which run along the Midland line tracks. East of Bayswater station, the Morley–Ellenbrook line will enter a viaduct, passing over the eastbound Midland line track and running parallel to the Midland line before curving north to pass over Railway Parade and Clavering Road, enter a tunnel under the Tonkin Highway northbound carriageway, and emerge within the Tonkin Highway median strip.[39]: 20 

Double track railway viewed from a bridge
The Morley–Ellenbrook line viewed from the Dulwich Street bridge in Bennett Springs in February 2024. This is the site of the future Bennett Springs station.

From Bayswater, the Morley–Ellenbrook line will head north along Tonkin Highway until it reaches

Beechboro Road North and Marshall Road will be Malaga station, which will be at ground-level. Heading east from Malaga station, the Morley–Ellenbrook line will pass under Beechboro Road North, which will be bridged, and then travel through land between Marshall Road and Whiteman Park. The line will bridge over Bennett Brook and enter a rural area of Bennett Springs, where there will be a road-over-rail bridge at Dulwich Street. Between Dulwich Street and Cheltenham Street will be provisions for a future Bennett Springs station.[39]
: 20 

Two concrete bridges over a road viewed from underneath
Viaduct over Whiteman Drive East, just north of Whiteman Park station

In Bennett Springs, the Morley–Ellenbrook line will bend north to travel along the western side of Drumpellier Drive, avoiding Horse Swamp, which is classed as a conservation category wetland. At Whiteman Drive East, one of the main entrance roads to Whiteman Park, will be Whiteman Park station. The station will be on a viaduct which will bridge over Whiteman Drive East. North of Whiteman Park station, the Morley–Ellenbrook line will continue parallel to Drumpellier Drive. It will enter a tunnel to pass under the intersection between Gnangara Road and Drumpellier Drive, emerging on the east side of Drumpellier Drive. The railway will then diverge from Drumpellier Drive to enter Ellenbrook, passing through the Ellenbrook Christian College school grounds on an embankment to reach the Ellenbrook town centre, where the line will terminate at Ellenbrook station, a ground-level station.[39]: 20 

Map
Transperth system map, with the Morley–Ellenbrook line highlighted

Stations

Bayswater station in October 2023, with stage two under construction on the right
Morley station under construction in February 2024
Noranda station under construction in January 2024
Whiteman Park station under construction in March 2024
Ellenbrook station under construction in January 2024

Morley–Ellenbrook line services will stop at 13 stations: eight from Perth to Bayswater and five on the Morley–Ellenbrook line branch. The stations from Perth to Bayswater are all in fare zone one,

accessible[39]: 2–3  and will have 150-metre-long (490 ft) island platforms, long enough for a six-car train. Most stations between Perth and Bayswater only have platforms long enough for four-car trains, limiting the length of trains that can run on the Morley–Ellenbrook line. The exceptions are Bayswater, East Perth and Perth stations.[41] The remaining stations' platforms are planned to be lengthened in the future.[39]: 24  Several stations between Perth and Bayswater are also not fully accessible. Factors limiting accessibility include non-compliant ramps, a lack of tactile paving, large platform gaps, and pedestrian level crossings.[42]

Station Distance from Perth[43] Fare zone[44] Location Opened Connections
km mi
Perth 0.0 0.0 1/FTZ Perth 1881 Bus at Perth Busport
Australind, Airport, Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Mandurah, Midland and Thornlie lines
McIver 0.7 0.4 1/FTZ Perth 1989 Airport, Armadale, Midland and Thornlie lines
Claisebrook 1.3 0.8 1/FTZ East Perth, Perth 1883 Airport, Armadale, Midland and Thornlie lines
East Perth 2.1 1.3 1 East Perth, Perth 1969 Airport and Midland lines, Transwa coaches, MerredinLink, Prospector,[45] and Indian Pacific[46]
Mount Lawley 3.2 2.0 1 Mount Lawley 1907 Airport and Midland lines
Maylands 4.5 2.8 1 Maylands 1896 Airport and Midland lines
Meltham 5.5 3.4 1 Bayswater 1948 Airport and Midland lines
Bayswater 6.8 4.2 1 Bayswater 1896 Bus, Airport and Midland lines
Morley 2 Embleton, Morley 2024 (planned) Bus
Noranda 2 Morley, Noranda 2024 (planned) Bus
Malaga 2 Whiteman 2024 (planned) Bus
Whiteman Park 2 Whiteman 2024 (planned) Bus
Ellenbrook 3 Ellenbrook 2024 (planned) Bus

Services

Morley–Ellenbrook line frequencies are planned to be five trains per hour during peak and four trains per hour at other times. By 2031, it is planned that peak frequencies will increase to six trains per hour. As the tracks between Bayswater and Daglish are limited to 15 trains per hour (five trains per hour for the Airport, Midland and Morley–Ellenbrook lines each), an upgrade of signalling will be required to increase frequencies. An additional siding at Daglish will be needed as well.[39]: 24 

Rolling stock

Nine three-car

Claisebrook railcar depot near the Perth CBD and the future Bellevue railcar depot at the end of the Midland line. Provisions have been made for a future depot along the Morley–Ellenbrook line in Henley Brook with capacity for twelve six-car trains.[39]
: 24, 26 

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, Peter (21 July 2011). "Libs' public transport opportunity". Business News. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  2. ^ Zimmerman, Josh (21 February 2017). "Grandson of town planner Gordon Stephenson sets record straight". Melville Gazette. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Strutt, Jessica (17 September 2017). "Ellenbrook rail line shapes up as one of the biggest political footballs in WA history". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Dispute over Ellenbrook rail line study". Business News. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Spagnolo, Joe (30 April 2016). "Cancelled rapid bus is back on". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  6. ^ Preston, Robyn (16 December 2012). "Labor promises new Perth rail network". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Heavy rail to Morley priority in Perth transport plan". ABC News. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ^ Strutt, Jessica (20 June 2016). "Perth transport plan before WA Cabinet, but Opposition sceptical". ABC News. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  9. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (29 July 2016). "Ellenbrook rail line could be three decades away: new report". PerthNow. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  10. ^ O'Connor, Andrew (4 August 2016). "WA Premier flags early Ellenbrook rail line construction, contradicting transport plan". ABC News. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  11. ^ Acott, Kent (2 February 2017). "Ellenbrook rail link back in transport plan but maybe not until 2050". The West Australian. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Rapid bus system a step closer for Ellenbrook". PerthNow. 21 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  13. ^ Kagi, Jacob (2 February 2016). "Perth to Morley underground line mooted instead of light rail". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  14. ^ Kagi, Jacob (29 July 2016). "WA transport policy battlelines drawn". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  15. ^ a b Caporn, Dylan (30 April 2017). "Ellenbrook train line plan: Lord Street dual carriageway is the first step, says Labor". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  16. ^ McGowan, Mark; Saffioti, Rita (21 August 2017). "METRONET progress on track". Media Statements. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  17. ^ Metronet drives Perth expansion plans Archived 2 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 23 August 2017
  18. ^ "Ellenbrook rail line in sight for residents, as WA Government unveils route". ABC News. 4 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  19. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (4 August 2019). "'Game-changer: WA Government unveils route for $1b Morley to Ellenbrook train line". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Ellenbrook rail line in sight for residents, as WA Government unveils route". ABC News. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  21. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (3 May 2020). "Full steam ahead for Morley-Ellenbrook line after decade-long fight". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  22. ^ Zimmerman, Josh (21 June 2020). "New Metronet Ellenbrook line station designs unveiled as part of $1 billion project definition plan". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Joint media statement - Perth's newest METRONET train station designs unveiled". Media Statements. 21 June 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Joint media statement - Preferred proponent named to construct METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Media Statements. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  25. ^ Traill, Michael (19 October 2020). "State Government inks $700m deal for Metronet's Morley-Ellenbrook rail line with Laing O'Rourke". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  26. ^ "MELconnx Consortium wins Metronet Morley-Ellenbrook Line contract". Railway Technology. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Joint media statement - Main construction contract awarded for highly anticipated METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Media Statements. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  28. ^ "METRONET train station on track for Ellenbrook". Media Statements. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  29. ^ Zimmerman, Josh (26 March 2023). "First 1.5km of track laid for Morley-Ellenbrook Line, with Mark McGowan and Rita Saffioti on hand". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Joint media statement - First tracks laid on METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line". Media Statements. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Work ramps up on new METRONET Whiteman Park Station". Media Statements. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  32. ^ Zimmerman, Josh (23 May 2023). "Budget Estimates: Premier Mark McGowan refuses to rule out more blowouts to Metronet costs". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Annual Report 2022–2023" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 2023. p. 81. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  34. ^ Office of the Auditor General (2 October 2023). "2023 Transparency Report: Major Projects" (PDF). Parliament of Western Australia. pp. 12, 40. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Joint media statement - NEW TRAIN STATION FOR ELLENBROOK NOW COMPLETE". Media Statements. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  36. ^ Caporn, Dylan (4 March 2024). "Works finished on Ellenbrook station but Rita Saffioti gives no clues on opening date". The West Australian. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Midland and Airport Line shutdown for essential rail alignment works". Media Statements. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  38. ^ Hastie, Hamish (22 February 2024). "Midland and airport line to shut down over Easter school holidays". WAtoday. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project Definition Plan" (PDF). Metronet. June 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Transperth Zone Map" (PDF). Transperth. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  41. ^ "PTA200132". Tenders WA. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Stations & Maps". Transperth. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Manual – Rail Access" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 30 August 2021. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  44. ^ "Midland Line Train Timetable" (PDF). Transperth. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  45. ^ "East Perth". Transwa. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  46. ^ "East Perth Terminal". Journey Beyond. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.

External links

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