Preparations for the 18-month Armadale Line Shutdown are ramping up, with works on three new bus interchanges and 1.2 kilometres of priority bus lanes now underway, and road modifications along Albany Highway, Welshpool and Shepperton roads to begin next month.
The upgrades to the Armadale/Thornlie Line are being made as part of three METRONET projects and include the removal of 13 level crossings, building seven new stations and the addition of 5.5 kilometres of elevated rail. The line will also be extended to Byford, providing thousands of people living in Perth’s south with access to a public passenger train for the first time.
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project will also create six-hectares of new public space for the community to enjoy, with a range of amenities being proposed including playgrounds, fitness zones, basketball courts, and activation spaces for community activities and events.
To assist with traffic flow along key roads during the shutdown, new intelligent transport system technology will also be installed.
The technology includes Bluetooth receivers and CCTV cameras that provide real-time bus location and traffic information which will integrate with traffic signalling to provide improved travel times and movements.
More than 100 additional buses will be brought online to support the closure in addition to the three new temporary bus interchanges in Armadale, Victoria Park and Cannington.
Analysis of travel patterns and research among Transperth patrons has helped to plan a network of train replacement services, which will be available on the Transperth website closer to the date.
Significant work has progressed to prepare the new elevated rail ahead of the shutdown in late-2023, with over half of the 500 pre-cast L-beams produced for the Victoria Park Canning Level Crossing Removal Project.
Development applications for the Cannington and Queens Park stations and adjacent public spaces will soon be submitted to the City of Canning and the Western Australian Planning Commission and community members will soon have an opportunity to provide feedback.
Development applications for Beckenham, Armadale and Byford are expected to be submitted in coming months.
During the shutdown, train services will continue to operate between Victoria Park and Perth, with a replacement bus network operating to Armadale and Thornlie.
For more information on the shutdown and to provide feedback, please visit Building For Tomorrow.