The preferred proponent for the contract to design and construct the new Lakelands Station, south of Perth on the Mandurah Line, has been selected. Read more
Mandurah station carpark under construction
A new carpark at Mandurah station, south of Perth, is now under construction.
Ground breaking occurred today, Tuesday September 8 on the $32 million, three storey carpark. The carpark will add an additional 700 parking bays, taking the total number of parking at the station to 1,800 bays.
The extra parking is hoped to encourage more commuters to use the Mandurah line and fits with existing transport patterns as 70 per cent of passengers at Mandurah station travel to the station by car. The current carpark reaches 90 per cent capacity by 9am on weekdays.
As the terminus of the Mandurah line, Mandurah Station provides a rail connection for the wider Peel region to the Perth metro area, said WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
“As an end-of-the-line station, Mandurah caters not just to those living and working in suburban Mandurah but those from further afar and these upgrades will help future-proof public transport for communities across the Peel region and beyond.”
The carpark is funded by both the federal and WA government. Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the carpark would work alongside other transport investments.
“Together with a new station at Lakelands, it will future-proof access to public transport for communities locally and across the Peel region,” he said.
SmartParker machines as well as security and safety technology will be installed as part of the construction of the carpark. While the new carpark is under construction a temporary carpark has been set up off Morfitt Street.
Constructed by WA builder PS Structures, WA Premier Mark McGowan said that it was important that these projects supported the local economy.
“This is all part of our plan to keep Building for Tomorrow, which is about getting shovels into the ground and constructing lasting transport infrastructure across WA for generations to come.”
The carpark is expected to open in the second half of 2021.
Builder selected for Mandurah Station carpark
A builder for the Mandurah Station multi-storey carpark in WA has been selected.
Local builder PS Structures won the $32 million contract to replace the existing northern carpark with a 1,800 bay carpark.
According to a joint federal-state government statement, over 70 per cent of passengers at Mandurah station travel to the station by car, with the carpark reaching 90 per cent capacity by 9am on weekdays.
Both governments have been investing in rail services near Mandurah, south of Perth, with the beginning of a request for proposal process for a new station for nearby Lakelands announced recently.
“This project is yet another way we are continuing to invest in the southern suburbs, with the Lakelands Station project also set to begin this year, and planning for another at Karnup underway,” said WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said that the expanded carpark would allow for greater train patronage.
“Together with a new station at Lakelands, this project will future-proof access to public transport for communities locally and across the Peel region,” said Tudge said.
“We also know the delivery of crucial infrastructure projects like the Mandurah is essential to supporting jobs and economic growth at this time.”
The Mandurah region has been targeted as an area for population growth, with the city forecast to grow by almost 50 per cent between 2016 and 2036. Enabling more people to use public transport will ensure the growth is managed, said federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie.
“The population of Mandurah and the Peel region have grown significantly over the last decade. The Government is delivering practical solutions that our community needs, both through this upgrade and construction of the new Lakelands station.”
The three level carpark will have lifts, a staircase, and a visually appealing façade, and a temporary carpark will be developed while construction is underway. Residents will also be encouraged to use alternative means, such as bus, cycling, or walking to get to the station.
RFP process begun for new Lakelands station
Contractors have been invited to submit proposals for a new station at Lakelands, south of Perth.
Western Australia Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, announced the Request for Proposal Process (RFP) had begun on May 4.
“This is an important step in making the Lakelands Station project a reality, delivering better access to Metronet for local residents.”
The contract will cover the design and construction of the station, involving two platforms, a bus interchange, carpark, and associated facilities. The RFP is part of the competitive early contract involvement process.
Part of the Metronet project, the station will be located on the Mandurah Line, with access off Lake Valley Drive, south of Perth. The new station is hoped to ease congestion at Mandurah and Warnbro stations.
“The station will take pressure off the nearby existing stations, and provide commuters with access to bus services and lockable cycling facilities,” said Saffioti.
“There is currently 23km of empty track between Mandurah and Warnbro stations – this station will mean residents in Lakelands, Madora Bay and surrounds will soon have greater access to public transport at their doorstep.”
Funding will be split between the federal government, which will commit 80 per cent of project funds, and the WA state government, which will contribute the remainder.
Construction will begin in early 2021 and the station is scheduled to be operational in 2023. Estimates published on the Metronet website state that 2,300 passengers could use the station in 2023, and 3,500 by 2031.
Since the opening of the Mandurah Line in 2007, the site of the future Lakelands station was reserved.
Planning for another station at Karnup is continuing.
Transperth reduces speed of trains due to extreme heat
The temperature reached a top of 43 degrees in Perth on Tuesday, February 4 and train speeds were reduced to prevent distortion of steel tracks.
Transperth said in a social media post on Tuesday that “due to current temperatures heat restrictions are in place across the network”.
The Transperth train network put temporary speed restrictions across the network when track-level temperatures reach 37 degrees.
Trains are reduced by about 20kmh on the Fremantle, Midland, and Armadale line when the temperature hits 37 degrees and on the Mandurah, Joondalup, and Thornlie lines once the temperature reaches 39 degrees.
Train speeds are reduced by a further 10kmh if track temperatures reach 41 degrees, and when temperatures drop back below 37C and 39C respectively, the restrictions are lifted.
Western Australia Public Transport Authority (PTA) said in a statement that heat speed restrictions have been imposed every summer in Perth for more than 30 years.
“The impact was greatly reduced as the Public Transport Authority progressively replaced wooden sleepers with concrete,” WA PTA said.
“Track with concrete sleepers is much less affected by the heat. All the PTA’s mainline urban track has had concrete sleepers for several years.”
The restriction is in line with national and international operating and safety standards, that recognises that extreme weather can affect steel track.
The WA PTA said heat-related speed restrictions are imposed around the world, while some countries also impose restrictions because of other climatic or environmental factors.
“Parts of Britain have speed restrictions in autumn if tracks are covered with leaves, which can affect traction,” they said.