Bye-bye boom gates as level crossings gone for good

• Boom gates at 12 notorious Armadale Line level crossings closed for the last time
• Level crossing removals part of major transformation of Armadale Train Line
• Seven new stations will be constructed, including Byford's first train station, and new stations as part of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link
• A total of 5.5km of rail will be elevated, opening up six hectares of new public open space
• Upgrades improve safety, reduce congestion, and revitalise the local area
• The combined works are one of the largest transport infrastructure projects Perth has ever seen

Boom gates at 12 notorious level crossings have closed for the last time, with a major transformation of the Armadale Train Line now underway.

The upgrades will see seven new stations built, including in the suburb of Byford for the first time, a total of 13 level crossings removed (Thomas Road over rail already delivered), 5.5km of elevated rail constructed and six hectares of new public open space created.

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will also be delivered in parallel with the Armadale Line upgrade, which will see Perth's first east-west connecting rail between the Mandurah and Armadale Lines, and two new stations built at Nicholson and Ranford Road.

The combined works represent one of the biggest public transport infrastructure projects Western Australia has ever seen.

Among the level crossings being removed during the upgrades are:

• Mint Street (boom gates down for 4 hours and 29 minutes each day)
• Oats Street (boom gates down for 6 hours each day)
• Welshpool Road (boom gates down for 4 hours and 28 minutes each day)
• Hamilton Street (boom gates down for 4 hours and 33 minutes each day)
• Wharf Street (boom gates down for 7 hours and 17 minutes each day)
• Williams Street (boom gates down for 4 hours and 25 minutes each day)

The removal of the boom gates from the 12 level crossings will be among the first works completed.

Other essential works being delivered in the first few weeks include the decommissioning and removal of tracks and other infrastructure within the rail corridor, and the demolition of old stations that are set to be rebuilt.

Once demolition works are completed, piling for the new rail viaduct structure will begin.

To support the transformational upgrades, the Armadale Line will be shut for the duration of the works.

This will begin with a closure of the entire line to facilitate the installation of turn backs at Victoria Park Train Station.

Once the turn back upgrades have been completed, train services will resume between Victoria Park and the City on November 23.

A significant number of measures have been put in place to minimise disruptions and support commuters during the shut, including:

• Installation of intelligent transport systems to improve traffic flow and bus movements
• More than 100 additional buses being brought onto the network
• 12 additional and enhanced bus routes
• Three new temporary bus interchanges in Armadale, Cannington, and Victoria Park
• 1.2 kilometres of new priority bus lanes along Albany Highway and Shepperton Road
• Additional right turning restrictions on key arterial routes to improve safety and traffic flow
• Establishment of a dedicated Main Roads Incident Response Service for Shepperton Road/Albany Highway

Nearly 18,000 regular Armadale Line passengers have had six months' free travel applied to their smart riders, in lieu of the disruption being caused to their commutes.

Although the line will be shut down, electricity will continue to run along the rail corridor. Entering restricted areas without authorisation is both highly dangerous and illegal.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Today marks the start of one of the biggest public transport infrastructure projects our State has ever seen - a project that will deliver huge benefits to people living in our southeastern corridor and along the Armadale Train Line.

"This train line has been neglected for too long, but under our Government it will get the investment it needs and deserves.

"We will be delivering seven new modern train stations, enhancing public amenity by opening up the rail corridor with new open space, and importantly, removing more than a dozen of the worst level crossings in Perth, level crossings that create bottleneck nightmares for local communities and businesses trying to get around the suburbs.

"This project is going to fundamentally change this 130-year-old train line, but we know to reach that destination, a period of disruption lies ahead.

"We carefully considered the options for delivering these works, and a single shut was the best way to get the job done in the shortest, safest, and most efficient way.

"I know the impact this project will have on regular passengers on the Armadale Line, as well as the surrounding communities, which is why significant effort has been undertaken to put in place measures that will make the closure as smooth as possible.

"The first few weeks will likely be the most disruptive as people get used to new ways of getting around, but my transport agencies will monitor conditions very closely and if there are opportunities to improve traffic movement, we will.

"We know this will be a difficult period for commuters and we can't thank them enough for their patience as we undertake these works. The final product will be transformational."

Comments attributed to Cannington MLA Bill Johnston:

"The Armadale Train Line is a critical piece of public transport infrastructure for communities in the suburbs like Cannington, Queens Park and Beckenham.

"For far too long, this train line has been neglected. I am ecstatic our Government is getting on with the job of delivering these upgrades, particularly the removal of notorious level crossings like Wharf Street.

"There is no question there will be disruption during these upgrades, and I want to assure the community we will continue to look at ways of keeping people's commutes as smooth as possible."

Comments attributed to Armadale MLA Tony Buti:

"The Armadale Train Station is a focal point for our community, and the construction of a new station will completely transform the heart of our city.

"The upgrades will also see the removal of a number of level crossings that cause significant disruption, which was only going to worsen with the extension of the line to Byford.

"I know this project will cause disruption for people, particularly regular commuters of the Armadale Train Line, and I want to assure everyone we will do everything we can to minimise disruptions."

Comments attributed to Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley:

"Today marks the start of one of the biggest public transport infrastructure projects Victoria Park and our surrounding communities have ever seen.

"The benefits being delivered are significant and worthwhile, but these works do involve a period of disruption, some of which has already occurred. I thank our community for your patience and understanding.

"I will work with the Minister to keep our community updated throughout delivery."

Comments attributed to Darling Range MLA Hugh Jones:

"I am thrilled that our Government is stepping up and delivering quality public transport infrastructure for the people of Byford.

"Byford is a fast-growing community and connecting them to the Armadale Train Line will ensure people can access the city in just 42 minutes, and they'll pay nothing more than a two-zone fare.

"My message to the community is that my door is open throughout this project, and I will assist in any way I can."

Comments attributed to Thornlie MLA Chris Tallentire:

"This project is going to completely transform the rail corridor and connect new communities to our world class rail network for the first time.

"Thornlie Station will be upgraded during the works to facilitate the connection between the Armadale and Mandurah Lines via the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.

"I want to thank the community for their patience while we deliver these critical works, and I look forward to seeing the significant benefits delivered."