The design for the Denny Avenue level crossing removal project in Kelmscott, Perth, has been released, with an underpass and elevated rail line at the nearby Davis Road the preferred solution.
The Western Australian state budget included $69 million in funding for the removal project at Denny Avenue, where 154 crashes have occurred in the last five years.
“Denny Avenue is one of the most dangerous level crossings on our rail network and it drives locals mad,” premier Mark McGowan said.
“It’s been talked about for years, and now we’ve got on with the job of providing the solution and the funding to finally fix this problem and eliminate the risk of accidents between trains and cars.”
The Denny Avenue/Davis Road project is to be the first of four level crossing removals related to the Metronet Stage One programme. The others to eventually be removed are situated at Caledonian Avenue in Maylands, Oats Street in Carlisle, and Wharf Street in Cannington.
The construction of a new east-west road connection at Davis Road – which is parallel to Denny Avenue – will require the rail line to be elevated in this area to enable the road underpass to be built.
With the train line and road separated via the installation of the underpass, the level crossing will able to be removed permanently.
A shared path parallel to the roads will be also be constructed alongside the rail line for pedestrians and cyclists.
State transport minister Rita Saffioti said that the Davis Road plan offered the most cost-effective solution for effective train and road operations and public safety.
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“Removing the Denny Avenue level crossing and relocating the east-west connection to Davis Road will improve connections in the town centre and mark the start of a revitalisation program around Kelmscott Station,” Saffioti said.
“It also aligns with the long-held vision to improve the overall community amenity and streetscape of the Kelmscott town centre.”
Tenders for the project’s construction are expected to be released in the coming months.
A Metronet team will be present at a community pop-up display at Kelmscott Plaza on Saturday, 30 June to provide information and answer questions.