Bye bye boom gates: elevated rail to remove level crossings

New station locations have been revealed and a single-structure elevated rail solution along key sections of the track has today been announced as the preferred option to remove five level crossings along the Armadale Line throughout Victoria Park and Canning.

Level crossings at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street and Wharf Street will be removed and replaced with elevated rail, allowing motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to pass through the area without interacting with the rail line.

The project is funded jointly by the State and Federal governments. 

New elevated stations will be built at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park and Cannington, while Welshpool Station - which has very low patronage - will be closed.

Each of these level crossings is down longer than three hours a day, causing traffic bank ups and frustration for commuters.

The new station locations have now been confirmed, with Carlisle Station moving closer to Mint/Archer streets to make it easier to connect to the school and local businesses.

Oats Street Station will be moved to over the top of Oats Street and will have a station entrance on either side of the road for safer access.

Queens Park Station's entrance will relocate slightly to better connect to local schools and Cannington Station's entrance is planned to face Cecil Avenue.

In response to community feedback, a single structure elevated rail solution was chosen to maximise the freed up land, minimise visual impact and create welcoming public spaces. This design also helps moderate train noise, while the platform shelters will act as privacy screening.

Elevating the railway line will also create about six hectares of public open space in areas of the rail reserve no longer occupied by railway infrastructure. The community will play a key role in shaping these spaces, with further consultation to take place in 2022.

The project is currently in procurement phase with a contract award expected later this year.

To facilitate the works, Western Power will be relocating - and in some cases undergrounding - a number of high voltage transmission lines around the stations and rail corridor, eliminating interface risks during and after rail construction and improving overall amenity.

A contract for the key Western Power works is due to be awarded later this year, with their main construction works expected to be completed in late-2022.

Community members are encouraged to apply to be part of the new construction Community Reference Group, and help shape the next phase of the project.

Applications are open at http://www.mysaytransport.wa.gov.au