Preparations ramp up for transformation of Armadale Line

• Significant works now under way to prepare for the 18 month Armadale Train Line shutdown
• Three temporary bus interchanges and around 1.2 kilometres of priority bus lanes to be built
• Train services will continue to operate between Victoria Park and Perth, with a bus replacement network operating to Armadale
• Key arterial routes to be fitted with new technology including Bluetooth receivers and CCTV cameras
  

Preparation for the 18 month closure of the 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 willcreate 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; and
• 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% 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.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"This will be one of the biggest public transport infrastructure projects we have ever undertaken in our metro area and will deliver significant benefits to the community including the removal of 13 level crossings, construction of seven new stations, the addition of more than 5 km of elevated rail and around six hectares of new public space.

"We carefully considered the options for delivering these works, and an 18 month closure was the best way to get the job done in the shortest, safest, and most efficient way.

"I am fully aware of the impact this project will have on regular passengers on the Armadale Line, as well as the surrounding communities, which is why significant work and effort is being undertaken now to make the closure as smooth as possible.

"We're building new bus interchanges, undertaking significant road works to deliver bus priority lanes and will be installing intelligent transport system technology that will help manage traffic and bus movements on key arterial routes.

"The new technology being installed will integrate with traffic signalling to provide improved journey time reliability and movements for rail replacement bus services.

"The Public Transport Authority has been carefully analysing the travel patterns of passengers and surveying Transperth patrons to develop the temporary bus routes that will support the shutdown, and those routes will be released in the coming months, to provide passengers with plenty of time to plan their journeys."

Comments attributed Cannington MLA Bill Johnston:

"The community has called for the removal of level crossings and the McGowan Government is delivering with the removal of three level crossings in the electorate of Cannington alone.

"It's fantastic to see works progressing on the temporary Cannington Bus Interchange, which will provide people with access to the new bus networks we will have in place while the shutdown takes place.

"This project is going to transform the rail corridor, but we know getting to that destination will create disruptions, which is why we will be working hard in the lead up to the shutdown, to make sure disruptions are minimised during the 18 months."

Comments attributed to Armadale MLA Tony Buti:

"This project is going to transform Armadale and deliver our community a new train station, and new opportunities for public open space with the removal of level crossings at Armadale Road, Church Avenue and Forrest Road.

"I know that disruptions will be particularly acute for people in the Armadale electorate who often have the longest distance to travel, but we are working hard to make sure we have a temporary bus network in place that provides people with a smooth journey over the 18 month period."

Comments attributed to Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley:

"The new elevated Armadale Train Line is going to create significant opportunities for our Victoria Park community, including opening up new land for public open space.

"While significant benefits will be delivered through this project and felt for generations to come, we also understand the disruption that lies ahead for people when this shutdown occurs, which is why we are investing a significant amount of money to put in place a temporary bus network that will continue to get people where they need to go."

Minister's office - 6552 5500