Procurement for another WA METRONET project now underway

Another METRONET project in Western Australia is set to get underway next year as procurement activities progress with the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) commencing for the High Capacity Signalling Project. 

Signalling and system experts are now being called to submit their interests in delivering this METRONET project. 

“The Morrison Government is continuing to fund the delivery of important infrastructure projects like METRONET, which help people to get home to their families sooner and safer, move freight more quickly between our cities, and generate jobs across the country. 

“This is just the latest example of us delivering on our commitment to progress critical infrastructure projects across the country under our record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery,” Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said. 

The High Capacity Signalling Project will include replacing the existing signalling and control systems –which are nearing the end of their asset lives – with an integrated Communications-Based Train Control System to enable for more trains to run more often on the existing rail network. 

The new system will continuously send real-time train data to the Public Transport Authority (PTA) control centre, and these data are going to be used to monitor the speed as well as location of every train. 

“Perth’s rail signalling system is nearing the end of its life and, with the network experiencing a major expansion due to METRONET, this important system needs to be replaced. 

“METRONET’s High Capacity Signalling Project will not only allow for future demand, it will also support more trains running more often, which is a big win for regular public transport. 

“I encourage contractors interested in being a part of this important project to take part in the EOI process,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

Source: METRONET

In addition to the EOIs commencing, the contract to build the new state-of-the-art METRONET public transport operation centre was recently awarded as well to ADCO Construction Pty Ltd. 

The Public Transport Operations Control Centre will comprise of a centralised signalling equipment room, network control floors and an office space in East Perth. 

This facility will be home to infrastructure as well as personnel needed to manage the daily operations of Perth’s public transport network. Works on the control centre is due to begin in early 2022. 

The High Capacity Signalling Project is going to be delivered in stages to help minimise disruption to rail operations, with rollout anticipated to be done progressively over a 10-year period. 

This project is going to be delivered along with the PTA’s Radio Systems Replacement, which aims to upgrade Transperth’s rail radio systems. This will replace the existing analogue technology with a high-tech 4G digital communications platform needed for the upgraded systems. 

“The Morrison Government has committed $2.7 billion towards METRONET projects across WA. This major investment includes $133.8 million towards ‘Phase One’ of the High Capacity Signalling Project. 

“’Phase One’ of this project will replace ageing assets with new advanced train control systems that will build capacity into the rail network and support hundreds of jobs during the project,” Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said. 

Applicants who succeed in the EOI stage will proceed to the Request for Proposal stage where two proponents are going to be chosen to provide a more detailed submission. 

The contract to design, supply, build and maintain the High Capacity Signalling Project is anticipated to be awarded in mid-2023. 

For more information on the Expressions of Interest process for this project, you can visit the TendersWA website. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts; METRONET (1, 2)