AUSTRALIA: Celebrations on October 12 marked the reopening of the full length of Perth’s Armadale Line following an extensive modernisation and the extension of Transperth suburban services to the fast-growing residential area of Byford.
The inner section of the Armadale Line as far as Beckenham had reopened in June following the rebuilding of 7·5 km of the route as an elevated line to eliminate level crossings.
The modernisation of the 16·8 km outer section has now been completed, with the stations at Sherwood, Challis, Kelmscott, Seaforth, Gosnells, Maddington and Kenwick rebuilt and an elevated replacement station built at Armadale.
The 7·9 km extension of the electrified suburban network south of Armadale to Byford included the construction of two overbridges and the removal of nine pedestrian and road crossings. The newly-built station in Byford includes provision for Australind long distance services between Perth and Bunbury to call in the future.
Bus routes in the area have been expanded and reconfigured to support the extended rail service.
‘Byford is one of the fastest-growing areas in our city and now they will have access to a world-class train line for the first time’, said Western Australia’s Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
‘The upgrades to the Armadale Line have been transformational - linking more people to public transport, better connecting communities and unlocking around 14 ha of new public open space, which will see the delivery of new parklands, playgrounds and amenities. This project is about supporting current and future generations, unlocking new opportunities for development and making more of Perth accessible by public transport.’
