Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority has decided to close the four-lane level crossing at Moore Street in Perth’s CBD, after extensive consultation with key stakeholders.
PTA said on September 4 it had opted to close the crossing after speaking with the City of Perth, Royal Perth Hospital, St John Ambulance, WA Police, Western Power, Perth’s Children Court and Main Roads.
The crossing is the intersection point between Moore Street – which is two lanes in either direction – and four sets of railway tracks which handle Armadale, Thornlie and Midland line services.
According to PTA, the crossing’s boom gates have been closed for around 30 minutes every hour during peak periods. This figure was expected to rise to as much as 45 minutes an hour once new rail traffic from the Forrestfield-Airport Link comes online.
“Since Optus Stadium operations came online, the crossing has also been closed for many hours leading up to, during and after events due to the high number of trains running between the stadium and the city,” PTA said.
In addition, near-misses are regularly reported by train drivers at the crossing, with exasperated motorists more likely to take risks due to the long boom gate closures.
The crossing will be permanently closed from October 1.
The pedestrian level crossing on the western side of Moore Street will also close, while the existing pedestrian level crossing on the eastern side of the road will remain open.
100 metres east of Moore Street is Lord Street, a major road overpass which crosses the railway.