Thornlie Cockburn Link - New Rail Link

This project is part of the Armadale Line Transformation. Help us plan for the 2023 shutdown.

Overview

Rail
Project type
$880 million
Total budget
Under Construction
Project phase
METRONET
Lead agency
1,680
Jobs supported

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be Perth’s first east-west cross line connection, making travel around the city by train more flexible and providing a higher level of public transport service to Perth’s south-eastern suburbs.

The 17.5 kilometre project includes new stations at Nicholson and Ranford roads, changes to Thornlie, Cockburn Central and Stadium stations and relocating 11 kilometres of freight railway.

Works continue to steam ahead on this major transport infrastructure improvement project, which is due to open in 2025.

Mandurah Line partial shutdown, 26 December 2022 to 3 January 2023

The Mandurah Line will close between Aubin Grove and Elizabeth Quay stations from first service 26 December 2022 to last service 3 January 2023 to facilitate major construction work as part of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link project.

Train services will be cancelled between Aubin Grove and Elizabeth Quay during the shutdown with train replacement bus services operating during this time.

The line will temporarily reopen on 31 December, with full line train services operating from first to last service on this day (including additional train services for New Year’s Eve).

Full train services will resume 4 January 2023.

The shutdown will allow for 24/7 works to occur between Russell Road/Gibbs Road and the Glen Iris Tunnel.

Travel tips for during the shutdown:

Plan ahead and allow extra travel time on public transport and roads.
Closer to the shutdown, if taking public transport, plan your journey via the Transperth JourneyPlanner where information about train replacement bus services will be available.
Sign up for My Alerts through the Transperth website or enable push notifications via the Transperth app.
Stay up to date on impacts to Kwinana Freeway and other roads by checking the Main Roads WA website.
Stay informed on the Thornlie-Cockburn Link project by visiting the METRONET website.

Thornlie-Cockburn Link project via METRONET.
Public transport service updates and journey planner via Transperth.
Main Roads WA subscriptions.

Why is the shutdown happening?

As part of construction on the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link, essential works are required in the rail corridor between Russell Road/Gibbs Road and the Glen Iris Rail Tunnel.

Given the work’s proximity to operating rail, the works can only be safely completed when passenger trains are not operating.
What do the rail works involve?

The shutdown will allow for major 24/7 works to occur on a three-kilometre section of the Mandurah Line between Russell Road/Gibbs Road and the Glen Iris Rail Tunnel, including the installation of new rail turnouts, communications and signalling equipment, and overhead line equipment.
Why are the works being done at this time?

There is no ideal time to have a large-scale disruption on the Transperth network. However, this period is generally the quietest time of the year on both public transport and the Kwinana Freeway.
Are there train replacement bus services?

Train replacement buses will operate between Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and Aubin Grove Station during the shutdown.

Trains will continue to operate between Aubin Grove and Mandurah stations.

Visit the Transperth website closer to the shutdown to plan your journey.
What will happen on New Year’s Eve?

The Line will temporarily reopen on 31 December, with full line train services operating from first to last service on this day (including additional train services for New Year’s Eve).

Visit the Transperth website closer to the date for the full timetable and to plan your journey.

Benefits

Reduced congestion and provision of alternative transport options to people in our southern suburbs
New stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road
Improvements at Thornlie Station and Cockburn Central Station
Creates thousands of jobs while providing improved access to employment opportunities in Canning Vale
Supports long term development plans around the new stations