Inner Armadale Line Level Crossing Removals

 

Planning is underway to remove up to another six vehicle level crossings on the Armadale Line. Work is already underway on the Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal.

Removing the level crossings at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street, Wharf Street and William Street will improve safety, create more connections, ease movements in the area, revitalise the corridor, modernise stations and create versatile public spaces for the community.

Potential solutions for removing these crossings are limited due to the built-up surrounding area and a lack of available land outside the rail corridor.

Extensive early planning and success of similar projects in the eastern states has informed the current preferred solution to elevate the rail for up to five of these crossings, except at Hamilton Street, where land on either side of the railways is reserved for a rail over road solution. Two options for removing the Wharf Street level crossing were initially put forward, elevating the rail or closing the crossing.

Based on initial stakeholder feedback on the Wharf Street options, an additional option is now being considered which would see elevated rail at both Hamilton Street and Wharf Street, including rebuilding Queens Park Station. The option to close the Wharf Street level crossing is not preferred.

Concept designs will be progressed for new, elevated Carlisle, Oats Street, Beckenham and potentially Queens Park stations. Welshpool Station will close, but Oats Street Station could be moved slightly closer to Welshpool Road to service the area.

As the project has only just started the early design phase, significant elements are yet to be confirmed, such as station location, additional connections, potential uses for the spaces under the rail and overall project design, including landscaping, public art, and facilities such as bike racks.

Register to stay informed on opportunities to be involved throughout the life of the project.

The level crossing removals at Mint Street, Oats Street and Welshpool Road was allocated $415 million in the 2019/20 State Budget.

For detailed information on the project, including maps, download the fact sheet.

Not only does an elevated rail solution for up to five of the inner Armadale Line level crossings help improve safety and ease traffic movements, it can also help revitalise the area by creating public spaces for a variety of civic purposes, as highlighted by Melbourne’s recent level crossing removal projects.

An elevated rail solution is the preferred option for the Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, William Street and potentially Wharf Street and Hamilton Street level crossings, as it:

• Completely removes sections of rail from the ground level to significantly improve pedestrian, cyclist and motorist connections seamlessly and safely across the rail corridor
• Allows a number of level crossings to be removed as one cost-effective package
• Creates opportunities for new public and civic spaces that can be used for a variety of purposes
• Brings stations in line with modern public transport facilities that better meet passenger expectations and new platforms to cater for six-car trains

Provision of a new bus transfer station at Oats St Station will allow for an increase in bus services and improved connectivity.

Potentially, the space underneath the rail could include community facilities such as bike paths, sports courts and exercise stations. 

Images courtesy of Level Crossing Removal Victoria. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Significant elements of the project are yet to be confirmed, such as station location, additional connections, potential uses for the spaces under the rail and overall project design, including landscaping, public art, and facilities such as bike racks.

• 2 July - Mint Street, Oats Street and Welshpool Road: Download question and answer
• 9 July - Hamilton Street, Wharf Street and William Street: Download question and answer

Drop-in Sessions

Now that we can get out into the community, we are holding two community drop-in sessions for the Inner Armadale Line Level Crossing Removals. This will give you a chance to speak face-to-face to the project team to find out more about the project and ask any questions you may have.

The project will remove up to six vehicle level crossings on the Armadale Line, at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street, Wharf Street and William Street.

Elevated rail is the preferred option for removing these crossings, except at Hamilton Street where there is also an option for a road over rail solution.

Registration for these sessions is essential and there are three 45-minute time slots to choose from on each day.

Oats St, Mint St and Welshpool Rd

Saturday, 15 August 2020 at Victoria Park Community Centre
Sessions: 9am, 10am or 11am
Register here

Hamilton, Wharf and William streets

Saturday, 22 August 2020 at Queens Park Primary School
Sessions: 9am, 10am or 11am
Register here

Community Reference Group

As the project has only just started the early design phase, there is still much to be developed.

The Community Reference Group will play a key role to inform this process and other opportunities will be identified for the broader community through the life of the project.

Community Reference Group members will be announced by the end of August.

Noise and Vibration

The elevated rail solution presents opportunities to address noise and vibration by building mitigation measures into the structures.

Elevating the rail means that noisy warning bells and train horns that are essential safety precautions at existing level crossings will no longer be required. Removing level crossings is also expected to reduce noise associated with vehicle acceleration and truck engine exhaust braking.

Design aspects that are yet to be determined will impact the level and type of noise, and where the trains can be heard. In some areas, train noise may decrease as it is deflected upwards, while in other areas train noise may be heard where it was not before. However, it is unlikely noise levels will be higher than currently experienced by those closest to the existing rail line.

Vibration levels will be determined by the final design, but generally elevated rail solutions tend to produce lower vibration levels compared to at-grade ballasted track.

The project will be required to comply with State Planning Policy 5.4 – Road and Rail Transport Noise, which sets targets and limits for noise. We are working on noise modelling and the results of this will be released in due course.

Transmission Lines

Planning for the removal of these crossings is still in the early stages and while we do not yet have detailed information regarding transmission lines, we will work closely with Western Power to ensure the best outcomes for residents located near the project area.

Heritage

As a signatory to a Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement, and in compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act, we will follow relevant processes to ensure Aboriginal heritage is identified and protected during project planning, and management controls are documented and implemented during construction.