Work on the $1 billion Morley to Ellenbrook rail line will begin next year, with the State Government today unveiling plans for Stage One of the project – the $146 million upgrade of the Bayswater Station.

Three major rail lines will branch off from the station – a rail line to Ellenbrook and another to the Perth Airport, as well as the existing Midland line.

The upgrade of the Bayswater Station involves:

RELOCATING the existing station onto a higher rail bridge over King William Street.

REPLACING the existing rail bridge and increasing the clearance to 4.8 metres.

REALIGNING platforms closer to Whatley Crescent and expanded to accommodate six-car trains.

Camera Icon The new Bayswater station plans - including a raised bridge. Credit: WA Government

The exact cost of the Morley-Ellenbrook line is still unclear – with the $1 billion price tag an estimate.

The Federal Coalition has pledged $500 million for the project, while federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has pledged $700 million.

Just how the State Government intends to fund the deficit, still remains unclear.

“There have been a number of elements to designing this project,” Ms Saffioti said.

Camera Icon Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Premier Mark McGowan look over the plans. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper

“We are fixing some of the road issues around the area, working to get the land use plan and the density and some of the activation that so many in the community have been calling for and to incorporate the planning of the Ellenbrook rail line.

“Our target (to complete the Morley-Ellenbrook project) is still 2022, but we are working through that and we are finalising our business case and our project development case over six months.

“That is our target date (2022) but we are working through the Commonwealth processes which are very length and involve a lot of consultation and a lot of work.

“In relation to the Ellenbrook line, there is a cost that is in the budget ($1 billion) – but it is a working cost.

“We will have more details in the middle of next year.

“We are working through the normal budget processes. There are a number of budget processes to continue to go through.

Camera Icon WA Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti have unveiled the concept plan of the METRONET upgrade of Bayswater Station, the first stage of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line. Pictured are the Premier and Transport Minister at Bayswater station. Credit: - Justin Benson-Cooper/The Sunday Times

“It is a clear commitment. We are working as fast as we can because there was no work done under the previous government.

“That includes submitting the Stage One business case which has been submitted to Infrastructure Australia and working on the Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4 business cases as we speak.”

Premier Mark McGowan said yesterday (Saturday) the Bayswater Station project would be “one of the final steps for the Forrestfield-Airport Link”.

“Along with creating a junction for our new Metronet lines, it will pump vibrancy and activity into the Bayswater town centre to support more jobs and local businesses,” he said.

“Part of this project also involves raising the notorious Bayswater bridge, which has trapped at least 20 trucks since I have been Premier.”

Ms Saffioti said she would be making further announcements about the troubled Forrestfield Airport Link project before Christmas.

Tunnelling for the new Forrestfield-Airport Link project was brought to a halt in September after a sinkhole appeared.

There is speculation that the estimated $1.8 billion price tag will escalate.