21/6/05
The official opening of Thornlie Railway Station will be held as a community event on Sunday, August 7, with train and bus services starting the following morning.
Minister for Community Development, Culture and the Arts Sheila McHale, who is also the Member for Kenwick, announced the planned opening after inspecting the new Spencer Road Bridge and Thornlie Station works today.
Ms McHale, in her capacity as Arts Minister, also inspected public artworks commissioned for the station precinct as part of the project.
"The public art focuses on the special recollections of Thornlie people, gleaned by artists Arif Satar and Audrey Fernandes-Satar through research and workshops," she said.
The Minister said the Spencer Road Bridge over the Thornlie Railway spur became fully operational this week and the last detours and traffic management measures would be removed over coming weeks.
"The Thornlie Railway spur and station building are nearing completion but the Public Transport Authority has properly allowed at least four weeks of commissioning and testing for a smooth start-up to services," she said.
"The introduction of Thornlie services has to be introduced carefully, because of the impacts on other rail lines and timetable changes all the way to Clarkson."
Ms McHale said Thornlie station would offer 15-minute frequency services to an expected 3,500 passengers during the working week.
"Thornlie Station will be a major transit node accommodating bus/rail interchanges, car drop off facilities, pedestrian and bicycle access and parking for 450 cars," she said.
"Construction of the electrified spur railway line to Thornlie from Beckenham Junction, the rail bridge over the Canning River, the traffic bridge at Spencer Road and the Thornlie Railway Station will be completed within budget for about $100million.
"The Gallop Government is improving services for all Western Australians."
The Minister reinforced the PTA's electrification awareness campaign, reminding local residents that the Thornlie railway's overhead wires would go 'live' from mid-June.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
