Upgrades to Thornlie Station are now clearly visible as construction progresses on the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link Project.
A new overpass to connect passengers between the newly extended platforms is now in place, and glazing on the lift shafts, along with cladding works, is currently in progress.
Thornlie Station, which opened in 2005, is undergoing major upgrades to transform it into a ‘through station’ for the Thornlie-Cockburn rail link.
In addition to the 14.5 kilometres of new passenger rail between Thornlie and Cockburn stations, three kilometres of rail between Thornlie Station and Beckenham Station has been duplicated to improve service frequency and facilitate future special event services directly from Mandurah to Perth Stadium Station.
Once complete, the upgraded station will feature a new concourse with four lifts, stairs, and a roof cover between the platforms, which have been extended to 150 metres to accommodate six-car train sets, including the new C-series. However, there will be no escalators included in the upgrades.
According to a Public Transport Authority (PTA) spokesperson, the daily number of workers on site is now approximately 700, down from its peak of 1,000 in early December last year, indicating that the project is moving into its final stages.
“The Thornlie Station upgrade is expected to be complete in the next few months,” a PTA spokesperson said.
“Testing and commissioning of the new station and rail line, including test trains, will occur in the months leading up to opening.”
As the Thornlie-Cockburn Link project nears completion, plans for updated bus routes to support the new stations are also in the works.
According to the PTA, the consultation period for updated bus routes connecting to the Thornlie, Nicholson Road, and Ranford Road stations will be announced to the public by Transperth.
“Consultation on updated bus routes to support the new stations will be undertaken by Transperth and occur in the months leading up to the opening,” the spokesperson said.
Other infrastructure at Thornlie Station being upgraded includes public toilets and staff amenities, the relocation and modification of the carpark to accommodate the platform expansion, the relocation and replacement of the existing bicycle parking, and the removal of the existing shared path to install a new one at the northern edge of the modified western car park.
With a budget of $1.35 billion, the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link Project is due for completion and opening in mid this year.
