More than 4300 sleepers and about 17km of welded rail strings have been delivered into the tunnels, with around 3km of skeleton track (rail strings clipped onto the sleepers) assembled.
Close to 900m of slab track (skeleton track embedded in concrete) is now in place below ground. This is different to the ballasted track visible along the train network at surface level, where sleepers are placed on a bed of crushed stone (ballast).
In other news, finding out about improved travel times and a better transport experience has become a whole lot easier with the launch of the 'Building For Tomorrow' website. The campaign will provide commuters and travellers with information and updates on the major road, rail, cycling and marina projects across Western Australia.
Tie-in of tracks in Bayswater on the horizon
Activity at the Bayswater Junction construction site is set to increase over the next two months, with the construction of new track and rail systems to be completed in five stages.
Stage one – construction of the permanent rail track for the city-bound Midland Line – will include two weeks of nightworks in September and October.
Later in the year, and throughout next year, three 54-hour weekend shutdowns will be required to tie in the new tracks and move the temporary Midland Line tracks to their final location.
At the eastern end of site several crews are working on the portal building, with block work, staircase installation and roof sheeting placement all underway.
Above-ground works in full swing at Redcliffe
Work has started on the main roof structure at Redcliffe Station – the last of the three new stations to be covered. The striking geometric roof shape will be easily visible from the furthest point of the car park and help guide passengers to the station entrance.
The first staircase within the station box has recently been installed, spanning a height of almost 10 metres between the ground and platform levels. It will take 60 steps to cover the distance, with escalators and lifts nearby for those who prefer alternative vertical transport options.
At platform level work continues on the overhead track exhaust (OTE) walls, which form part of the tunnel ventilation systems on either side of the track.
Airport Central Station in new light
From top to bottom Airport Central Station is a hive of activity. Following the completion of the skylight installation in the station roof, the crew has handed over the elevated work platforms to the electricians to work on ceiling lighting.
More than 50 per cent of the building's external glazing has been installed, adding a shiny finish to the structure's perimeter. The atrium's interior is following suit with aluminium cladding being attached to the eastern and western walls.
Below ground, at platform level, sleepers and 220m-long strings of rail have been placed on the southern side of the platform (city-bound trains), with the northern side up next.
High Wycombe Station car park progressing well
With rail welding activities having relocated to Bayswater a few weeks ago, works within the High Wycombe dive structure are now focussed on the installation of fire fighting pipes. Cable trays are also being affixed to the structure's walls, and work on the tunnel entry sealing rings is nearing completion.
Right next door more than 100 columns to support the first level of the multi-deck car park are now cast, with roughly a dozen left to go.
Almost a third of the up to 10m-high tilt-up panels have also been erected, forming the walls of the ramp located inside the car park building.
Within the station area the installation of the two lifts has been completed and the electrical team is now working on the permanent lights.
Underground emergency access taking shape
With only two of four steel modules left to install at Wright Crescent Emergency Egress Shaft (EES), the stairs and lift shafts at all EES are about to be completed.
Also located underground, cross passage works are well advanced, with only one structure left to be excavated and five of 15 undergoing final structural touches before being handed over to the fit-out crews.