Metronet in $1bn funding boost

Metronet will receive a $1 billion boost from the federal government despite other Western Australian projects being scrapped.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King today announced the findings from an independent strategic review of the Infrastructure Investment Program.

Five WA road projects have been dropped but Ms King said the federal government proposed an additional $1 billion for Metronet.

Tanami Road, a direct route from Alice Springs to the Kimberley, will receive an additional $200 million.

“At the start of the review I said we would not cut funding from the $120 billion pipeline,” Ms King said.

“It was not a savings exercise, and we have honoured that.

“All states and territories have maintained their funding in the pipeline that they previously had – not a single dollar less for any state or territory over the next 10 years.”

MORE: Full list of WA projects dropped from the federal program

WA's infrastructure spend ramped up $2.1 billion year-on-year, according to state government records reported in September.

Metronet accounted for $4.2 billion of the infrastructure investment.

Construction of the Metronet project has been progressing, with the Armadale line to be shut down next week and expected to reopen 18 months later.

Seven stations, 5.5 kilometres of elevated rail, 13 level crossings, and extension of the line to Byford are planned to be built during the closure.

The first locally made C-series railcar manufactured at Metronet's Bellevue facility was completed earlier this year.

The 143-metre train, comprising almost 400 seats, is expected to enter the public transport network on the Mandurah-Joondalup line by the end of 2023.

It has been estimated to carry around 103,000 passengers a day.

The costs to deliver Metronet have risen to surpass a $9 billion price tag, Business News previously reported.

The Yanchep and Thornlie to Cockburn rail lines have helped lift the state government’s bill for 18 Metronet projects to $9.1 billion.