Western Australia's Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has staunchly defended the massive budget blowouts plaguing the Metronet project, insisting the transformational infrastructure remains "absolutely worth it" despite costs skyrocketing into the hundreds of millions.
Budget Blowouts and Transformational Benefits
The revelation comes as the government announced an opening date for the new Midland Station, which has seen its budget nearly double from the original $239 million to $417 million - a staggering increase of $178 million.
Ms Saffioti, who has spearheaded the Metronet initiative for eight years, described the Midland Station as "the final piece of the Metronet puzzle" and emphasised the project's broader achievements.
"What we've delivered is 72 kilometres of new rail, 23 new stations, and numerous level crossing removals," the Minister stated. "Without this type of infrastructure investment, it would be significantly harder for people to move around our suburbs."
Station Opening Timeline and Disruptions
The new Midland Station is scheduled to officially open to the public on Sunday, February 22, following a community celebration event.
However, commuters should prepare for significant disruptions leading up to the opening. The Midland Line will experience a partial shutdown for 31 days commencing January 22, affecting services between Bassendean and Midland stations.
During this period, critical final works will be completed, including the demolition of the current train station. The Morrison Road level crossing will also be closed to traffic.
"There will be bus replacement services operating, as we typically arrange during these necessary interruptions," Ms Saffioti confirmed.
World-Class Facilities and Community Impact
The completed Midland Station will feature extensive modern amenities designed to serve the growing community. These include:
- A pedestrian overpass for safe access
- Secure bike shelters for cyclists
- A new bus interchange improving connectivity
- A multi-storey car park with 800 vehicle bays
Ms Saffioti expressed pride in the project's outcomes, noting that "if you look at our train stations, they're world class" and emphasising the employment benefits the project has delivered.
"This has been a project that has employed thousands of people throughout its construction," she said, defending the government's continued investment in public transport infrastructure that she claims has received "overwhelming support from the community" across three successive elections.
