Level Crossing Removal

There are 31 vehicle level-crossings on the Transperth network. There has been a policy in place for more than a decade not to increase the net number of crossings.

Removing level crossings along the Midland and Armadale lines has significant community benefits from making it safer for people and vehicles to travel in the area to revitalising local communities with improved land use planning.

The first four level crossings to be removed as part of METRONET are Denny Avenue (Kelmscott), Caledonian Avenue (Maylands), Oats Street (Carlisle) and Wharf Street (Cannington). The first level crossing to go will be Denny Avenue.

There are a number of ways to remove a level crossing. These include elevating or sinking the rail; elevating or sinking the road, a combination of both or closing the crossing.

A review of the options that offer the least road and community impacts during and after construction is underway. A program will be developed, which would allow for ongoing level crossing removal, depending on funding availability.

It is estimated the first four level crossing removals will take up to four years.

The 2019-20 State Budget includes a commitment to remove two additional level crossings from the inner Armadale Line, as it includes $415 million to remove level crossings at Mint Street, Oats Street, and Welshpool Road (between Victoria Park and Bentley).

There are a number of ways to remove a level crossing.

A review of the options that offer the least road and community impacts during construction and long term operations, but the most urban development opportunities where suitable is underway.

It’s possible this planning will show more than one level crossing should be removed at one time. The team is also looking at wider planning and can be considered as part of the works.

As each level crossing and community is different, the team will work with local governments and other key stakeholders to consider the best approach for various scenarios.

Caledonian Avenue level crossing in Maylands was recognised as one of four crossings to remove as part of METRONET.

When the Forrestfield-Airport Link is operational, the five-minute peak frequency on the Midland Line will see longer times for the boom gates to be down.

This will increase the potential for risk taking behaving at the crossing, as well as impact the local road network.

The Caledonian Avenue Level Crossing Removal project is currently in the early stages of planning and reviewing options. This includes working closely with the City of Bayswater and key stakeholders to ensure the removal meets the community’s needs as much as possible.

The preferred solution will be identified before the Forrestfield-Airport Link services become operational.

Planning

Initial assessments have ruled out elevating or lowering the railway as it would require a rebuild of Maylands Station and other key infrastructure, which would not represent value for money for this project.

Elevated or lowered road solutions are being investigated with City of Bayswater and Main Roads WA, but are challenging due to constrained space and lack of State owned land along the railway reserve in this area.

Closing the level crossing is also being investigated but may require adjustments and improvements to the nearby road network.

The preferred removal solution will be identified in consultation with key stakeholders and will consider community and road impacts, as well as urban development opportunities.

Oats Street level crossing in Carlisle was recognised as one of four crossings to remove as part of METRONET.

Initial options analysis of the level crossing removal found that potential solutions would impact on the broader area, including neighbouring level crossings at Mint Street and Welshpool Road, and removing them as a package would be more efficient.

Based on this, the study area for the Oats Street Level Crossing Removal will now include Mint Street, Oats Street and Welshpool Road level crossings, as well as potential impacts to Carlisle, Oats Street and Welshpool stations.

The 2019/20 State Budget identified $415 million towards the removal of these level crossings. The planning process will confirm the solution and scope of investment required to build it.

Planning

While it is too early to determine what the possible solutions will look like, there are a number of ways to remove level crossings including:

• Elevating or lowering the rail line
• Elevating or lowering the road
• A combination of elevating and sinking the road or rail (as per the Denny Avenue project)
• Closing the level crossing.

Removal options will be planned in consultation with key stakeholders and will consider community and road impacts, as well as urban development opportunities.

This planning is expected to take two years.

Wharf Street level crossing in Queens Park was recognised as one of four crossings to remove as part of METRONET.

Initial options analysis of the level crossing removal found that potential solutions would impact on the broader area, including neighbouring level crossings at Hamilton and William streets, and removing them as a package would be more efficient.

Based on this, the study area for the Wharf Street Level Crossing Removal will now include Hamilton, Wharf and William streets level crossings, as well as potential impacts to Queens Park, Cannington and Beckenham stations. 

Planning

While it is too early to determine what the possible solutions will look like, there are a number of ways to remove level crossings including:

• Elevating or lowering the rail line
• Elevating or lowering the road
• A combination of elevating and sinking the road or rail (as per the Denny Avenue project)
• Closing the level crossing.

Removal options will be planned in consultation with key stakeholders and will consider community and road impacts, as well as urban development opportunities.

This planning is expected to take two years.