Welcome to the May project update
Our stations are smouldering in more ways than one! Smoke testing recently took place at Airport Central and Redcliffe stations as part of tunnel ventilation commissioning works. Non-toxic white smoke was released at platform level to visualise airflow while a number of scenarios were tested. The tunnel ventilation systems are critical to the line's safety in an emergency, extracting smoke from the tunnels and stations. Watch how the testing went on the project website.
Tests like these are an important step towards test trains running on the line, which is due to begin shortly.
If you're after a high level view of each site, take a look at the latest aerials for Bayswater Junction, Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe.
Eyes on the road in High Wycombe
While we are be building a train station, it doesn't mean no attention is paid to vehicles that use the adjacent road network. Line marking has been taking place on the roads surrounding the station, while a little closer to the tracks asphalting was recently completed for the on-tracking facility. Located at the end of the line, the facility allows vehicles that have been modified to operate on tracks to transition from road to rail, which comes in handy for construction and maintenance works.
In non-road related matters, demobilisation works have begun around the site.
Rails of another kind at Airport Central
To help make sure the glass balustrades aren't damaged by luggage trolleys, bump rails have been installed on the glazing in a number of areas throughout the station. Doing exactly what the name says, the rails stop things from bumping into the glass.
Next up for the station is the installation of fare gates at concourse level.
Redcliffe's poles and parks
A section of the former Brearley Avenue is getting a makeover! Reinstatement works are underway west of Redcliffe Station, turning the area from brown and cream to something a little more green.
Meanwhile at the station entry, bollards have been installed. The bollards across all of our stations are made of two parts – the shiny outer casing with visibility strips, and the galvanised body that is concreted into the ground. This way, if one gets damaged only the cover needs replacing, leaving the bollard itself still standing.
Bayswater Junction rocks
Ground works continue to be the focus at Bayswater Junction, with landscaping and rock pitching at the eastern basin ongoing.
Upcoming track works will require nightly closures of the Midland Line on Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 May. Replacement buses will be running, but make sure to plan your journey with Transperth.
Airport West Emergency Egress Shaft's wrapping up
The construction footprint at the Airport West EES is shrinking, with car bays restored ready for reopening, and rectification works on the nearby footpath underway.
Inside the egress shaft, electrical works are ongoing.