New Thornlie-Cockburn Line provides direct route from Mandurah to Optus Stadium

Mandurah AFL fans will be able to get to Optus Stadium without having to change trains with the opening of the new Thornlie-Cockburn Line.

The 17-kilometre line is Perth's first east-west cross line connection and includes new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, along with major upgrades to the Thornlie, Cockburn Central, and Perth Stadium stations.

The new line provides a direct route from the Mandurah Line to Optus Stadium for the first time meaning more trains will be able to arrive and depart from the venue during major events and games.

"Over the past three years, we have seen METRONET transform our city, and today we mark another major milestone with the Thornlie-Cockburn Line delivering our first east-west rail connection between the Mandurah and Armadale lines," Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

"This new line will deliver a significant boost to the resilience of our rail network, connect tens of thousands of people to a train line for the first time and provide a direct connection to Optus Stadium for people on the Mandurah Line."

The project, which has taken 18 months to complete, saw more than 84,000 sleepers and 180,000 tonnes of gravel used to build the new passenger line while the existing 22km freight line had to be relocated.

The Thornlie-Cockburn Line. PIC: Transperth