The votes have been counted and the local community has spoken: High Wycombe was the runaway winner, with more than 75 per cent opting to name the station after the suburb in which it is located. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced the new station name last week, along with the permanent name of the alignment, which will be called the Airport Line once operational.
Below ground the project is progressing steadily, with the first section of the invert slab in Tunnel Two now primed for track laying. Rail lengths are being welded together as we speak, in preparation for the start of track laying.
Roadworks on Bayswater section of Guildford Road
With both tunnel boring machines and two large cranes now removed from site, it is time to return the section of Guildford Road adjacent to site to its original state. The first week of July will see some day and night works on the road, as well as a temporary diversion of the principal shared path. Signage will be in place to guide road users and cyclists.
The floating slab for the portal building above the dive structure has recently been poured and concrete is curing. This set of works will be followed by another concrete pour – this time for the stairwell of the building.
At the eastern end of site the rail team is busy constructing foundations for overhead line equipment masts, which will support the permanent tracks of both the Midland and Airport lines.
Redcliffe roof works imminent
Redcliffe Station has undergone quite a transformation in the last month, with 75 per cent of the platform constructed, and 80 per cent of the first stage of the track slab within the station box now complete.
Demobilisation of the 30m-high electric tower crane located at ground level, previously used to lower tunnel segments into the station box, is underway.
With the crane out of the way, the crew at Redcliffe is about to start a new chapter of construction: the station roof. The first sections of steel, also including stairs and lift shafts, have already been delivered to site.
Focus on surfaces at Airport Central Station
Major structural works are starting to wind up and building finishes are taking centre stage at Airport Central Station. Sections of the building's exterior are being dressed with shiny glazing, while the atrium ceiling is being fitted out with timber-look veneer.
Below ground, at concourse level, crews are attaching aluminium cladding to the southern wall of the atrium.
And all the way down at platform level, works are ongoing to fit-out the escalators and lifts, as well as install fire detection and gas suppression systems at the eastern platform back-of-house rooms.
A splash of colour for High Wycombe Station
A 5.5m-high and 100m-long section of the station retaining wall is set to feature a tessellated pattern of earthy red colours, chosen to reflect the tones of the nearby Darling Scarp. The first panel has already been painted, perfectly matching the recently completed red station roof.
Meanwhile, the team looking after the installation of the lifts has started work within the portal building, located at the tunnel entry/exit points. Outside the building preparations are underway to lay asphalt in the emergency services parking area.
Last month ground was broken for the start of construction of the station's multi-deck car park. What looks like a large sandpit at the moment will transform into a three-level building accommodating 1200 vehicles and more than 50 motorcycle bays once completed. Parking will be available to Transperth patrons at a cost of two dollars per 24-hour period.
Countdown on for cross passage construction
With the cross passage tally now at 10, there are only five of the links between the two tunnels left to construct. A number of the completed cross passages has already been handed over to the MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) team for fit-out.
At Airport West Emergency Egress Shaft (EES) two lift shaft and staircase steel modules have been installed, with two more to go to reach ground level.
Wright Crescent EES is not far behind, with workers already drilling holes in the diaphragm walls to install the required steel structures.