Bye bye boom gates: elevated rail to remove level crossings

New station locations have been revealed and a single-structure elevated rail solution along key sections of the track has today been announced as the preferred option to remove five level crossings along the Armadale Line throughout Victoria Park and Canning.

Five level crossings at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street and Wharf Street will be removed and replaced with elevated rail, allowing motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to pass through the area without interacting with the rail line.

New elevated stations will be built at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park and Cannington, while Welshpool Station - which has very low patronage - will be closed.

Each of these level crossings is down longer than three hours a day, causing traffic bank ups and frustration for commuters.

The new station locations have now been confirmed, with Carlisle Station moving closer to Mint/Archer streets to make it easier to connect to the school and local businesses.

Oats Street Station will be moved to over the top of Oats Street and will have a station entrance on either side of the road for safer access.

Queens Park Station’s entrance will relocate slightly to better connect to local schools and Cannington Station’s entrance is planned to face Cecil Avenue.

In response to community feedback, a single structure elevated rail solution was chosen to maximise the freed up land, minimise visual impact and create welcoming public spaces. This design also helps moderate train noise, while the platform shelters will act as privacy screening.

Elevating the railway line will also create about six hectares of public open space in areas of the rail reserve no longer occupied by railway infrastructure. The community will play a key role in shaping these spaces, with further consultation to take place in 2022.

The project is currently in procurement phase with a contract award expected later this year.

To facilitate the works, Western Power will be relocating - and in some cases undergrounding - a number of high voltage transmission lines around the stations and rail corridor, eliminating interface risks during and after rail construction and improving overall amenity.

A contract for the key Western Power works is due to be awarded later this year, with their main construction works expected to be completed in late-2022.

Community members are encouraged to apply to be part of the new construction Community Reference Group, and help shape the next phase of the project.

Applications are open at http://www.mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/METRONET

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP:

“These projects are some of the many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.

“By alleviating congestion across this transport corridor, we’re helping the people of Perth get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re driving the economy and we’re supporting local jobs.”

Quotes attributable to WA Transport Minister, the Hon Rita Saffioti MLA:

“Anyone who has been stuck at a level crossing knows the dread when the lights start flashing and the boom gates start coming down.

“These boom gates are down for a total of three hours each per day, which is frustrating for commuters, pedestrians and cyclists.

“Our Government has a program of level crossing removals along the Armadale Line which will mean we can wave goodbye to those pesky boom gates.

“We have already removed the dreaded Denny Avenue level crossing in Kelmscott and I cannot wait to get to work to remove these five level crossings throughout Victoria Park and Canning.

“We have worked with the community to determine that elevated rail is the preferred solution and will minimise noise while opening up six hectares of land for community activation.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Swan, the Hon Steve Irons MP:

“The adoption of elevated rail through this project will transform the way people interface with the railway, unlock public open space for the local community, reduce noise, enable the removal of significant power lines and towers, and bust congestion.

“I’ve advocated for the removal of level crossings along the Armadale Line for years - I’m pleased to see this project finally getting off the ground.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Victoria Park, Hannah Beazley MLA:

“I’ve been stuck at the Mint Street and Oats Street level crossings more times than I can count.

“This project is exciting and will create vibrant new spaces for our community to enjoy - I would encourage all community members to get involved and register their interest for the Community Reference Group.

“METRONET is all about connecting the community and for the first time in a century this will remove parts of the rail barrier that have separated the communities of Carlisle and East Victoria Park.”