Moore Street crossing closes Tuesday

The Moore Street level crossing will be closed permanently on Tuesday, October 1.

The closure will begin from 6.30am and motorists must use alternative crossing points at Lord Street or Barrack Street.

The pedestrian level crossing on the western side of Moore Street will also be closed, but the eastern crossing, the McIver underpass and the shared path to the north of McIver Station will stay open.

Access to the Royal Perth Hospital car park entrance on Moore Street, and driveways on both Pier and Moore streets, will not be affected, and both Pier and Moore streets will become cul-de-sacs on the approach to the existing level crossing.

Traffic management staff will be at Pier and Moore streets for the first two weeks to help motorists.

Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes said congestion was a big issue for the crossing, with its boom gates down for more than 30 minutes an hour during peak periods.

“Those closure times are expected to jump to more than 45 minutes an hour when the Forrestfield-Airport Link comes online and more train movements are introduced,” Mr Hynes said.

“Optus Stadium events also close the crossing for hours at a time due to the high number of trains running between the stadium and the city.

“Near-misses at congested crossings like Moore Street are regularly reported by our railcar drivers and motorists are more likely to take dangerous risks when they become annoyed at how long the boom gates have been down.”

The PTA has been working for decades to reduce the net number of level crossings on the network to improve safety and reduce the degree to which motor vehicles interface with the railway tracks.

The PTA’s decision to close the crossing came after consultation with stakeholders including the City of Perth, Royal Perth Hospital, St John Ambulance, WA Police, Western Power, Perth Children’s Court and Main Roads.

Media contact: David Hynes, 9326 2526