As the 18-month shutdown of the Armadale Train Line draws near, Perth is bracing itself for the enormous public transport infrastructure project that will ensue. Initial preparations have already begun, with construction activities for three new bus interchanges now in progress.
What people can expect
Starting next month, the city will witness the construction of 1.2 km of priority bus lanes and road modifications along Albany Highway, Welshpool, and Shepperton Roads. These enhancements form part of the broader initiative to upgrade the Armadale Line, which will entail the removal of 13 level crossings, construction of seven new stations, and the addition of 5.5 km of Perth’s first-ever elevated rail.
Byford
A noteworthy aspect of the project is the extension of the train line to Byford. This development will offer thousands of residents in Perth’s southern region access to a train line for the first time.
New public space and stations
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project is also poised to contribute significantly to the community by creating six hectares of new public space. This space will house a variety of amenities such as playgrounds, fitness zones, basketball courts, skate parks, and new walking and cycling paths. Additionally, it will also feature public art installations and activation spaces for community activities and events.
In the coming months, development applications for the Cannington and Queens Park stations and adjacent public spaces will be submitted to the City of Canning. Similarly, applications for Beckenham, Armadale, and Byford are also expected to be submitted soon. The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
Traffic Management
To manage traffic during the shutdown, a new intelligent transport system technology will be installed along key arterial routes. This technology, equipped with Bluetooth receivers, CCTV cameras, and variable message signs, will provide real-time traffic information. Furthermore, it will integrate with traffic signalling to enhance journey time reliability and movements for rail replacement bus services.
The shutdown will also witness the deployment of a dedicated incident response service, focusing on Shepperton Rd and Albany Hwy.
New Bus Interchanges
To support this, several measures are being put in place, including three new bus interchanges in Armadale, Victoria Park, and Cannington.
Priority bus lane and additional buses
Construction of priority bus lanes along Albany Hwy, Welshpool, and Shepperton Roads along with more than 100 additional buses will be deployed, with the Public Transport Authority currently finalising the temporary bus routes.
“This will be one of the biggest public transport infrastructure projects we have ever undertaken in our metro area and will deliver significant benefits to the community including the removal of 13 level crossings, construction of seven new stations, the addition of more than 5 km of elevated rail and around six hectares of new public space,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
“We carefully considered the options for delivering these works, and an 18 month closure was the best way to get the job done in the shortest, safest, and most efficient way.”
For further Transperth updates visit transperth.wa.gov.au.
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