- First precast L-beams delivered for Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project
- 530 precast L-beams will be used on the overhead rail across the project
- Beam production supporting local employment and businesses
- McGowan Government confirms $87.5 million for William Street level crossing removal and Beckenham Station elevation works
The first of 530 precast concrete L-beams for the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal (VPCLXR) Project has been poured today, marking a major milestone in preparations for the major project.
The L-beams are one of a number of precast concrete components that will form part of the nearly four kilometres of overhead rail being delivered through the VPCLXR project.
Located at the repurposed Midland brick site, Australian manufacturer Humes will undertake production of the beams, which will be cast, cleaned and stored on site.
The project is not only fuelling local employment, but also engaging local businesses that will contribute to the fabrication and production of these structures.
Each beam is made up of approximately eight truckloads of concrete and 13 tonnes of steel. The beams are 2.2 metres high, 30m long and weigh 130 tonnes.
The facility includes multiple workstations to allow for the various stages of beam construction to be carried out simultaneously, ensuring a fast production rate of around two beams per day.
One hundred per cent of the water used for cleaning the beams is recycled, and no concrete waste is left onsite.
Humes bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the project, having played a critical role in Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project.
The milestone comes as the McGowan Government confirmed its allocation of $87.5 million for the William Street level crossing removal and the Beckenham Station elevation, through the Mid-year Review.
Federal Labor and the State Government both committed $87.5 million to the project in the lead up to the Federal Election, and both Governments have now confirm the funding.
The additional funding will now see the removal of six level crossings and the construction of five new elevated stations as part of the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project.
The McGowan Government has also today announced an additional $39.1 million to support the temporary 18-month shutdown of the Armadale Line from the end of 2023.
Included in the funding will be a temporary bus interchange and carpark at Victoria Park Station, construction of a dedicated city-bound bus lane on Shepperton Road and delivery of intelligent transport system infrastructure, such as additional CCTV and variable message signs that give real-time travel information to drivers and help manage travel demand.
The level crossing removal project will significantly ease congestion along the Armadale Line, where some boom gates are down for several hours every day.
The new elevated rail line will also generate new opportunities for development and public open space as land previously occupied by the rail line becomes available.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“We are getting on with delivering METRONET across our suburbs.
“This METRONET project will be transformational for people who live and work along the Armadale line.
“Already we are seeing real benefits for our State, with local industry playing a key role in manufacturing components of the overhead rail structure – with thousands more local jobs to be created across the life of the project.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“It is great to see manufacturing of this scale in Western Australia, which will be of benefit to local businesses and draw on local knowledge.
“These L-beams will form the new rail-over-road viaducts that will be seen across the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project.
“These beams will be pivotal in transforming the Armadale Line, removing level crossings and elevating rail in the area, opening up new public spaces for a variety of community uses.
“Preparation is absolutely essential on this project, which is why we are starting the process of manufacturing our precast beams now.”
