Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has today introduced the Railway (METRONET) Amendment Bill 2022 to Parliament.
The legislation will authorise construction of the Armadale Line railway projects including the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal and Byford Rail Extension projects within the METRONET program.
The Railway (METRONET) Amendment Bill 2022 will incorporate the length of the Armadale Line from Claisebrook Station to just north of Mundijong.
Inclusion of these projects within the scope of the METRONET Act will create consistent and uniform railway enabling legislation for construction of key METRONET projects, in line with the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, Yanchep Rail Extension and Morley-Ellenbrook Lines.
The 129-year-old Armadale Line will be transformed through major METRONET projects including:
- extending the rail line eight kilometres to Byford;
- removing up to 12 level crossings;
- construction of six new stations;
- elevating the rail through Victoria Park and Cannington; and
- tying in the Thornlie-Cockburn Link at Thornlie Station.
To enable work on these projects to occur as quickly and safely as possible, the Armadale Line will be shut down for up to 18 months starting in the first quarter of 2023.
While a number of options were examined, the extended shutdown was preferred as it was seen as the least disruptive over the longer term, allows the project to be undertaken faster with a safer workplace environment and provides certainty for replacement bus services.
Over the next few weeks, Transperth will start surveying Armadale Line passengers, including Australind passengers, to help determine the best suite of replacement services to offer.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Today I am introducing the Railway (METRONET) Amendment Bill 2022 which authorises the construction of major projects along the Armadale Line.
"These projects include extending the rail line eight kilometres to Byford, removing 12 level crossings, constructing six new stations and elevating the rail throughout Victoria Park and Cannington.
"These projects will create thousands of local jobs, and when complete, dramatically change the way we travel to and from our south-eastern suburbs.
"To facilitate these works quickly and safely, we will be closing the Armadale Line for up to 18 months.
"We understand a temporary shutdown will be inconvenient for many people, businesses and the broader community and we apologise in advance for this.
"We have announced the shutdown almost a year in advance so people are aware and we can begin planning replacement services.
"In the next few weeks, Transperth will begin surveying Armadale Line passengers, including passengers on the Australind, to find out about travel behaviours and how we can best target replacement services to suit their needs."
