Transformation of Armadale Line in WA marks major milestone

The transformation of the Armadale Line in Western Australia is progressing well with construction now underway on the first elevated train station in Carlisle. 

Over the recent weeks, more than 150 metres of elevated rail was built to enable the construction of Carlisle Station to begin. 

“I am delighted to see this latest important step in transforming the Armadale Line. 

“Since the Armadale Line upgrade started in November 2023, nearly 40 kilometres of track has been removed, along with more than 30,000 tonnes of ballast and 38,000 rail sleepers. 

“Seven train stations were also demolished to make way for the new elevated rail – giving a sense of the scale of this transformational nation-building project,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The new station features two ground level entrances serviced by stairs, four lifts, 57 parking bays, and bike storage. New public open spaces will also be provided underneath the station along with elevated rail with plans for a playground, fitness park, nature play and shared paths. 

The new elevated Carlisle Station is one of the seven new stations to be built as part of the Armadale Line upgrades. Other stations will be constructed at Oats Street, Queens Park, Cannington, Beckenham, Armadale and Byford. 

Construction of all seven new stations is expected to get underway within the next few months. 

“The upgrades to the Armadale Line are moving ahead at a rapid pace, and I want to commend all of the teams involved for the incredible progress that has been made in only a few months. 

“Starting works on the first elevated station is a big milestone for the Armadale Line upgrades, and the community is already starting to see how this project will provide significant benefits by reducing congestion, and delivering new public open space and modern infrastructure. 

“Works on the elevated structure will continue to progress in the coming weeks and months – with the focus being on the sites of our new train stations, which will allow construction of those new stations to commence. 

“Within the next few months, construction will be underway on all seven new stations on the Armadale Line, marking the peak construction phase for the project,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

The METRONET Armadale Line transformation is comprised of the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal project and the Byford Rail Extension project – both of which are jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments. 

Across the two projects, the Armadale Line upgrades will also build 5.5 kilometres of elevated rail and create six hectares of new public open space. To date, 13 level crossings have already been removed as part of the upgrades. 

To enable works to be carried out, the Armadale and Thornlie lines are on shutdown until mid-2025, with seven new and five enhanced bus routes introduced to support the existing timetabled services. However, trains will continue to operate between Victoria Park and Perth stations during the shutdown, including Stadium Station on weekends, public holidays and event days. 

“As a local, and an engineer, I am very excited about the transformation of the rail network now underway. 

“The Armadale Line transformation is also a growth and skills boom for the workforce here in WA. 

“Employment across the rail corridor is expected to grow by around 1,400 workers as work ramps up on the seven new stations,” Federal Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas said. 

“As someone who lives in the area, it’s amazing to see how quickly this project is progressing. 

“In a little over 12 months’ time, our community will have access to some incredible new facilities and amenities – while suburbs like Victoria Park, Lathlain, and Carlisle will be more connected than they’ve ever been before,” State Member for Victoria Park Hannah Beazley said. 

The contract to deliver the Byford Rail Extension was awarded to the MetCONNX Alliance, which is comprised of Laing O'Rourke, Pritchard Francis Consulting, and Kellogg Brown & Root. On the other hand, the contract for the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal was awarded to the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance, comprising of Acciona Construction, BMD Constructions, WSP and AECOM. You can read more about the contract awards here.

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; WA Building for Tomorrow; METRONET (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia