Steel manufacturer InfraBuild is the latest company to be awarded a Metronet-associated contract, supplying steel parts for the construction of new railway lines.
Steel manufacturer InfraBuild is the latest company to be awarded a Metronet-associated contract, supplying steel parts for the construction of new railway lines.
The $11.8 million supply contract was awarded by NEWest Alliance, a partnership between CPB Contractors and Downer EDI, which has ordered the supply of 8,500 tonnes of steel reinforcing cages.
The steel cages will be used by the alliance in the construction of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail extension.
Business News previously reported that the NEWest Alliance-run project would be completed later than anticipated.
The Thornlie-Cockburn line was initially expected to be operational by 2021 but is now due for completion in 2023.
Similarly, the Yanchep Rail extension was initially due in 2021 but has been pushed back to late 2022.
InfraBuild has also supplied 7,200t of reinforcing steel cages for use on the Forrestfield-Airport link Metronet project; although this order was completed in May 2018, the firm’s supply of 7,600t of reinforcing steel bars is currently ongoing.
As a result of the increased demand caused by Metronet projects, InfraBuild has hired 13 additional staff at its Forrestfield manufacturing facility since November of last year.
InfraBuild is one of a number of firms conducting work associated with the state's railcar program.
Premier Mark McGowan has said that $71.3 million worth of contracts has already been awarded to local suppliers of railcar parts in anticipation of the production of C-series railcars at the Bellevue railcar facility.
This is in addition to the more than $35 million worth of contracts already awarded to firms working on the construction and supply of machines to the Bellevue facility.
Further, Mr McGowan said 27 trainees had been offered employment opportunities on civil construction projects, including Metronet, since completing the Infrastructure Ready TAFE course introduced in late 2020.
The premier said he was pleased with the impact Metronet was having on the state's economy.
“With nine Metronet projects now under construction, and several more in the procurement phase, we are making sure there are opportunities for local businesses,” he said.
“As our economy continues to emerge from COVID-19, it is more important than ever we continue to deliver local content on our major projects.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti echoed that sentiment.
“Through Metronet, we are not just bringing manufacturing and fabrication jobs back to WA," she said.
“Our procurement strategy is also attracting east coast businesses to move work to WA."
