The entire overhead rail structure for the transformational METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal project is now complete.
The upgrade of the 130-year-old Armadale Train Line will include the removal of 13-level-crossings that currently cause significant disruption and congestion to the local community.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti stated that preparation is currently the number one priority for this project and that the completion of more than 500 L-beams is a significant milestone.
“The entire overhead rail structure for the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal project is now complete, meaning that once the old line has been removed, we’ll be ready to begin installing straight away.
“This project will transform the rail corridor with seven new stations, an extension of the line to Byford, and of course more than six-hectares of new public open space for the community to enjoy,” said Saffioti.
The overhead rail structure will span more than four kilometres in length and will be made up of 500 pre-cast L beams.
“The precast materials for the elevated rail are being produced locally, which is providing jobs and economic benefits for Western Australians,” said Saffioti.
The first of these structures was completed in late 2022, with each beam weighing approximately 130 tonnes — plus the inclusion of eight truckloads of concrete and 13 tonnes of steel.
The L-beam pairs will be joined together to form a trough for the trains to run on the line and a total of four custom-made gantry cranes will be engaged for the installation.
During the project, the beams will be transported from two sites to the Armadale Train Line corridor before they are carefully lifted into place by the Italy-imported gantry cranes.
The METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link will also be completed during the closure.
Two new train stations constructed along Nicholson Road and Ranford Road will also help deliver the first east-west rail link connecting the Armadale and Mandurah Train Lines.
