Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal on track, WA Gov confirms funding

The first of 530 precast concrete L-beams for the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal (VPCLXR) Project has been poured, marking a major milestone in preparations for the project.

The L-beams are one of several precast concrete components that will form part of the nearly four kilometres of overhead rail being delivered through the VPCLXR project.

Australian manufacturer Humes is manufacturing the beams, which will be cast, cleaned, and stored on site.

Each beam is made up of approximately eight truckloads of concrete and 13 tonnes of steel. The beams are 2.2 metres high, 30 metres long and weigh 130 tonnes.

The facility includes multiple workstations to allow for the various stages of beam construction to be carried out simultaneously, ensuring a fast production rate of around two beams per day.

All water used for cleaning the beams is recycled, and no concrete waste is left onsite.

Humes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the project, having played a critical role in Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project.

Related stories:

The milestone comes as the Western Australian Government confirmed its allocation of $87.5 million for the William Street level crossing removal and the Beckenham Station elevation, through the Mid-year Review.

The Federal and State governments both committed $87.5 million to the project in the lead up to the Federal Election, and both governments have now confirmed the funding.

The Western Australian Government also announced an additional $39.1 million to support the temporary 18-month shutdown of the Armadale Line from the end of 2023.

Premier Mark McGowan said the METRONET project would be transformational for people living and working along the Armadale Line.

“Already we are seeing real benefits for our State, with local industry playing a key role in manufacturing components of the overhead rail structure – with thousands more local jobs to be created across the life of the project,” he said.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the local manufacture of the L-beams would benefit local businesses and draw on local knowledge.

“These L-beams will form the new rail-over-road viaducts that will be seen across the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project,” she said.

“These beams will be pivotal in transforming the Armadale Line, removing level crossings and elevating rail in the area, opening up new public spaces for a variety of community uses.

“Preparation is absolutely essential on this project, which is why we are starting the process of manufacturing our precast beams now.”

The VPCLXR project is expected to significantly ease congestion along the Armadale Line, where some boom gates are down for several hours every day.

The new elevated rail line is also expected to generate new opportunities for development and public open space as land previously occupied by the rail line becomes available.

The VPCLXR project is being delivered by the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance, which comprises Acciona, BMD, WSP, and Aecom.

For more information, visit: www.metronet.wa.gov.au