Closure necessary for the Forrestfield-Airport Link to commence operations later this year
The Caledonian Avenue level crossing in Maylands will close permanently on April 15, 2022.
The crossing will be closed and decommissioned during a scheduled Midland Line closure over the Easter weekend.
Over the remainder of the Easter weekend, the traffic signals and line markings on Railway Parade will be removed. The signals at the junction of Whatley Crescent and Caledonian Avenue will also be modified to cater for the remaining T-junction.
The McGowan Government has allocated $15 million to upgrade roads in the area to improve safety and access to Maylands town centre for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
These improvements have been planned in consultation with a community reference group to ensure they meet the needs of the diverse Maylands community. They include:
- protected bike lanes on Railway Parade between Meltham and Maylands stations (expected to be operational within one month of the closure);
- a signalised junction at Hotham Bridge (Railway Parade) and Whatley Crescent, with a new dedicated right-turn enabling vehicles to head towards Maylands;
- a new intersection treatment at Whatley Crescent and Caledonian Avenue;
- a signalised intersection at Guildford Road and Seventh Avenue;
- improved pedestrian facilities at Guildford Road and Eighth Avenue;
- speed restrictions and traffic calming in key town centre streets; and
- up to $250,000 for revitalisation planning for the Maylands town centre (in partnership with the City of Bayswater).
Feasibility work undertaken by Main Roads has found that the construction of another underpass at the Caledonian Avenue crossing will cost approximately $26 million.
However, Main Roads is working with the Public Transport Authority to improve access at the Maylands Train Station underpass for cyclists and pedestrians.
Closing the Caledonian Avenue level crossing was found to be the best option following lengthy investigations.
Raising or lowering the rail was investigated, however the impact on the community and nearby infrastructure would have been significant.
A road bridge over the rail at Ferguson Street near Caledonian Avenue was also considered, but would have required more than 14 local homes to be demolished, property access for nearby local homes to be reduced and more traffic directed through local streets.
On a typical weekday, the level crossing boom gates go down more than 150 times, for an average of one minute and 30 seconds each time. This means the boom gates are lowered for almost four hours each day, causing traffic to bank along Whatley Crescent and Railway Parade.
With the Forrestfield-Airport Link to begin operating soon, followed later by the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, services are set to increase dramatically, which would result in the boom gates being down even longer.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The Caledonian Avenue level crossing was highlighted as one of the highest risk crossings on the rail network.
“With the Forrestfield-Airport Link coming online soon and the Morley-Ellenbrook Line coming later, the boom gates will be down for up to four hours each day.
“After lengthy investigations, closing the crossing was determined to be the best option.
“We have allocated $15 million to improve local roads and local paths, with a strong focus on upgrades to improve access and safety for pedestrians and cyclists into the Maylands town centre.
“We will continue to work with the community reference group to shape these projects.”
