Thornlie-Cockburn Link (TCL) Project Profile

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link (TCL) project establishes a critical 17.5km east-west rail corridor in Perth’s southern suburbs, integrating the Mandurah and Armadale lines. This METRONET initiative involved significant brownfield works, including track duplication, freight line relocation, and the construction of two new stations to enhance network connectivity and capacity. The project addresses historical gaps in Perth’s public transport network, providing a direct connection between two key radial lines.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

The project’s core involved laying 14.5km of new track and duplicating the 3km section between Beckenham Junction and Thornlie Station, transforming Thornlie from a terminus into a through-station. A primary engineering challenge was the relocation of 11km of existing freight lines to accommodate the new passenger corridor, requiring meticulous staging to minimize disruption to freight operations. Structural works were extensive, including the duplication of the Canning River Rail Bridge and modifications to the Ranford Road Bridge. The new Nicholson Road and Ranford Road stations were designed as modern transport hubs with integrated bus interchanges and multi-storey parking facilities. Both stations are future-proofed to accommodate six-car train sets from the METRONET Railcar Programme, enhancing long-term passenger capacity. Advanced signalling and control systems were implemented to ensure seamless integration with the existing Armadale and Mandurah line operations.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Network Integration: The TCL is Perth’s first east-west rail connection, creating a cross-line link that significantly improves network resilience and provides alternative travel routes, reducing dependency on the central business district as a transfer point.
• Congestion Alleviation and Capacity Enhancement: By offering a direct link between the Thornlie and Cockburn Central stations, the project directly reduces passenger load on the most congested sections of the existing north-south lines and the Kwinana Freeway.
• Economic Catalyst for Southern Suburbs: The new stations provide high-capacity transit access to previously underserved residential and commercial areas, stimulating transit-oriented development and improving economic opportunities in the Canning and Cockburn growth corridors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Thornlie-Cockburn Link open?

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link officially commenced passenger services in late 2024. The project was delivered as part of Western Australia’s broader METRONET program to expand and modernize Perth’s rail network.

Who built the Thornlie-Cockburn Link?

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link was built by the NEWest Alliance, a consortium comprising two of Australia’s leading infrastructure firms, CPB Contractors and Downer, in partnership with the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.