Western Australia’s next METRONET project is steaming ahead with a package of works, including elevated rail and new station builds, proposals to remove dangerous level crossings and create new community and commercial spaces.
Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti today announced the preferred METRONET solution to remove six level crossings on the Armadale Line between Victoria Park and Beckenham, which will deliver on a major election commitment.
The plan follows work commencing last year on the Denny Avenue level crossing removal project in Kelmscott, with a rail over road underpass at Davis Road being constructed.
The new project will enable for the removal of parts of the rail barrier that have separated communities like Carlisle, East Victoria Park and Cannington for more than a century.
Up to 2.8 kilometres of elevated rail could be laid along the inner Armadale Line, providing more opportunities for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to safely cross the rail corridor while also creating safer roads, quieter neighbourhoods and new connections between communities.
It will also remove the dreaded boom gates, reducing the amount of minutes spent by commuters sitting at level crossings. Currently Oats Street boom gates are closed 233 times a day for up to 1 minute 33 seconds per closure meaning it is down for up to six hours daily.
Crossings identified for removal through the elevated rail approach include Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, William Street and Wharf Street.
Meanwhile, a road over rail option is the preferred approach for Hamilton Street.
Part of the METRONET level crossing removal program will also involve the construction of new stations at Carlisle, Oats Street and Beckenham as well as potentially Queens Park.
Welshpool Station will close as part of the project, with a newly-built Oats Street Station to have more passenger facilities, to make it an attractive alternative option to service the wider area.
Work will now begin on developing concept designs, including confirming the precise station locations and designs.
This year alone the McGowan Government will have seven METRONET projects under construction, supporting local jobs and creating opportunities for local businesses.
The McGowan Government is requesting community input on key elements of this METRONET project such as final station locations, designs and potential uses for the new public spaces.
The 2019-20 State Budget committed a total of $415 million specifically towards the removal of three level crossings (Mint, Oats, Welshpool). Funding for the remaining three (Wharf, Hamilton, Williams) is subject to an agreement with the Federal Government.
Visit https://www.mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/ to provide feedback.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“One of our key election commitments was to remove level crossings on the Armadale Line, a dangerous and frustrating problem for many commuters.
“We have already started this program with works commencing on the removal of the notorious Denny Avenue level crossing in Kelmscott.
“This plan will transform the Armadale Line as we know it, setting it up for the next 100 years and creating more liveable and vibrant communities linked to METRONET.
“There are plenty of opportunities for the community to get involved in these projects so I encourage people to have their say.
“This year alone we will have seven METRONET projects under construction, supporting and creating local jobs and providing a pipeline of work for local businesses.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Commuters can finally say bye, bye boom gates – we’ve all felt the pain sitting at a level crossing waiting for one, two, sometimes three trains to pass by.
“We are cutting the waiting time for drivers and removing seven level crossings along the Armadale line.
“This project will also mean new train stations at Carlisle and Oats Street and potentially Queens Park, giving the local community the opportunity to have their say on what they would like these new stations designs to look like.
“METRONET is also about connecting the community – for the first time in a century this will remove parts of the rail barrier that have separated the communities of Carlisle, East Victoria Park and Cannington.
“It will create opportunities for new and unique public space and developments around stations, connect our communities and allow us to wave goodbye to boom gates.”
