New Hester Avenue bridge completed
26/5/04
The Hester Avenue road bridge over the Northern Suburbs Railway extension from Clarkson Station to Nowergup Depot has been completed and is now fully operational.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the decision to build a road-over-rail bridge meant there were no level crossings in the entire New MetroRail Project.
Ms MacTiernan said the successful project was a prime example of the State Government and the City of Wanneroo working together for the benefit of the community.
"We have worked closely with the city to deliver a project which addresses community concerns about original plans for a level crossing - this is a win-win situation," the Minister said.
She said under the deal, the City of Wanneroo had committed up to $3million for the project, which would be reimbursed by the State Government when the Northern Suburbs Railway was extended to Butler.
Wanneroo MLA Dianne Guise welcomed the bridge's completion.
"I received strong representation from the community on this issue," Mrs Guise said.
"They made it clear that the level crossing option was not acceptable - I am happy to say the State Government and the City of Wanneroo have come together to find a resolution."
The Hester Avenue bridge, built by Perth company, Brierty Constructions, is an archway structure consisting of 24 pre-fabricated 'ribs', each three metres long.
A single track runs under the archway to allow trains to travel from Clarkson Station to the near-completed Nowergup Depot, a major service centre used to clean, maintain and store railcars used on the Northern Suburbs Railway.
In addition, it will provide the necessary amenities for drivers starting and finishing work, as well as for the maintenance employees.
Trains travelling on the two kilometres of single track between the depot and Clarkson Station will not carry passengers.
All the $80million worth of works for the Northern Suburbs Railway extension is on target for completion by September this year.
For more information on the New MetroRail project, please visit the New MetroRail website.