In a busy finish to 2016, construction has now commenced on the dive structure at Forrestfield and carpark modifications at the Airport Central Station site. Development applications have also been submitted for early works at Belmont and the station design at Forrestfield. The designs for Forrestfield Station were well received at a community information evening held on 7 December, and will soon be available for public comment via the Western Australian Planning Commission.
With the arrival of the tunnel boring machines and construction of the three new stations set to begin in 2017, there will be plenty more to update you about in the New Year. From everyone at the project team, we wish you a safe and happy festive season.
Construction begins at Forrestfield
During November, the first sod was turned at the future site of Forrestfield Station to signal the beginning of construction. Premier Colin Barnett was joined on site by State Transport Minister Bill Marmion, Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester to mark the occasion. See full media statement here.
Work on the diaphragm walls underway
Across the rail alignment there are a number of structures that need to be built up to 40 metres below the ground surface. To support and strengthen these structures, diaphragm walls (also known as d-walls) are a key step in the construction process.
D-walls will be used to retain the ground surrounding the dive structures at Forrestfield and Bayswater. They will also be used to create underground railway stations at Belmont and Airport Central, and three emergency egress shafts at Abernethy Road, the Perth Airport Estate and Wright Crescent.
This month work started on the dive structure d-walls at Forrestfield. A clam shell-like ‘grab’ connected to a crane is currently on site to excavate soil.
Central Avenue is now open
PTA has been working closely with the City of Belmont and Main Roads WA to prepare the local Belmont area for the upcoming changes around the new Belmont Station. This has included implementing a number of local road changes, such as connecting Central Avenue to Dunreath Drive in preparation for the partial closure of Brearley Avenue on January 17, 2017.
Central Avenue was opened on November 24 and now features a 6m wide landscaped median, street lighting, pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes and parking spaces. View the Belmont Zone construction fact sheet to find out more about these works as well as the upcoming closure of Brearley Avenue.
Works begin to establish Airport Central site
One of the project’s construction sites will be located near the control tower at Perth Airport, where an underground station will be built to service both domestic and international terminals.
To make way for the works a number of activities are required, including new pedestrian crossings, road realignments and the relocation of some car rental booths, long term parking bays and services. Work will begin this week and is expected to be completed in March 2017. This will enable the underground station box structure construction to commence from March 2017 to February 2018.
The project team is working closely with Perth Airport to ensure minimal disruption to travellers, motorists and local businesses during the works.
Information session for Forrestfield community
A community information session was held early December to provide information to the Forrestfield community about the planned construction in the area.
Members of the project team attended, as well as Western Power and Shire of Kalamunda. Together they provided a range of information on the project, associated power works and how the project supports the Shire’s long-term development plans for the area.
As part of our commitment to keeping the community informed, there will be similar sessions held in the three community zones (Forrestfield, Belmont, Bayswater) along the project route throughout the next four years. Thank you to those community members who attended the first of these sessions.