by David Benton
Font Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print December 23, 2007
WESTERN Australia's new $1.32 billion Perth to Mandurah rail-line has officially opened.
About 1500 passengers boarded the first train to make the inaugural journey from the new Perth underground station to the regional city of Mandurah, south of Perth.
WA Premier Alan Carpenter said the Perth-to-Mandurah railway was the state's biggest-ever public infrastructure undertaking.
"This railway becomes part of a 105km public transport spine for our city, from Clarkson to Mandurah, helping thousands of people link more easily with friends an family, jobs, education and enjoyment," Mr Carpenter said.
"It will also create new, less car-dependent residential areas and help generate new commercial development along its route."
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the rail journey would become a must-do for visitors to WA.
"With stunning views of the Swan and Canning Rivers and the bushland along the route, together with the attractions of Mandurah's beaches and foreshore, inevitably the railway trip will become a must do for visitors to WA," Ms MacTiernan said.
The new line, which stretches 74km is expected to carry 50,000 passengers each working day and take up to 21,000 cars off the Kwinana Freeway.
The line has taken six years to build at a cost of $1.32 billion, troubled by delays and cost blowouts.
Ms MacTiernan said the opening was a great moment for the thousands who worked on the transformative projects – from the original planners, engineers and project managers to the tradesman, apprentices and labourers who built it.
"Most of all, this is a magnificent day for the people of the southern suburbs and Mandurah, who never lost enthusiasm for the rail project," she said.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 77,00.html
WESTERN Australia's new $1.32 billion Perth to Mandurah rail-line has officially opened.
About 1500 passengers boarded the first train to make the inaugural journey from the new Perth underground station to the regional city of Mandurah, south of Perth.
WA Premier Alan Carpenter said the Perth-to-Mandurah railway was the state's biggest-ever public infrastructure undertaking.
"This railway becomes part of a 105km public transport spine for our city, from Clarkson to Mandurah, helping thousands of people link more easily with friends an family, jobs, education and enjoyment," Mr Carpenter said.
"It will also create new, less car-dependent residential areas and help generate new commercial development along its route."
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the rail journey would become a must-do for visitors to WA.
"With stunning views of the Swan and Canning Rivers and the bushland along the route, together with the attractions of Mandurah's beaches and foreshore, inevitably the railway trip will become a must do for visitors to WA," Ms MacTiernan said.
The new line, which stretches 74km is expected to carry 50,000 passengers each working day and take up to 21,000 cars off the Kwinana Freeway.
The line has taken six years to build at a cost of $1.32 billion, troubled by delays and cost blowouts.
Ms MacTiernan said the opening was a great moment for the thousands who worked on the transformative projects – from the original planners, engineers and project managers to the tradesman, apprentices and labourers who built it.
"Most of all, this is a magnificent day for the people of the southern suburbs and Mandurah, who never lost enthusiasm for the rail project," she said.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 77,00.html
Moderator worldwide railfan , Rail travel & trip reports
The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.
The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.
