Preparation for the 18-month closure of Perth’s Armadale train line is ramping up, with works on three new bus interchanges now under way.
Construction of 1.2 km of priority bus lanes and road modifications along Albany Highway, Welshpool and Shepperton Roads is scheduled to begin next month.
The line will be closed to facilitate one of the biggest public transport infrastructure projects Perth has ever seen.
The upgrades being made to the Armadale Line include the removal of 13 level crossings, construction of seven new stations and the addition of 5.5 km of Perth’s first elevated rail.
The line will also be extended to Byford, providing thousands of people living in Perth’s south with access to a train line for the first time.
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project will create six hectares of new public space for the community to enjoy, with a range of amenities being proposed including playgrounds, fitness zones, basketball courts, skate parks, new walking and cycling paths, public art, and activation spaces for community activities and events.
To assist with traffic flows along key arterial routes during the shutdown, new intelligent transport system technology will also be installed.
The technology includes Bluetooth receivers, CCTV cameras and variable message signs that will provide real-time information on traffic conditions.
The technology will also integrate with traffic signalling to provide improved journey time reliability and movements for rail replacement bus services.
There will also be a dedicated incident response service focusing on Shepperton Rd and Albany Hwy during the 18 month closure.
Measures being put in place during the shutdown include:
- three new bus interchanges in Armadale, Victoria Park and Cannington
- additional bus storage at the Causeway Bus Station to improve service performance
- construction of 1.2 km of priority bus lanes along Albany Hwy, Welshpool and Shepperton Roads
- road modifications along Albany Hwy to improve safety and traffic flow
- installation of intelligent transport system technology including Bluetooth receivers, CCTV cameras and variable message signs.
More than 100 additional buses will be used to support the closure, with the Public Transport Authority currently finalising the temporary bus routes that will be put in place.
Analysis of travel patterns and research among Transperth patrons has helped to plan a network of rail replacement bus services, which will be available on the Transperth website closer to the date.
Significant work is also underway to prepare the new elevated rail ahead of the closure later this year.
More than 50 per cent of the 500 pre-cast L-beams needed for the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project have now been produced.
The L-beams are one of a number of precast concrete components that will form part of the nearly 4 km of overhead rail being delivered through the project.
Development applications for the Cannington and Queens Park stations and adjacent public spaces will soon be submitted to the City of Canning.
Community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback via the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
Development applications for Beckenham, Armadale, and Byford are expected to be submitted in coming months.
