The Caledonian Avenue Level Crossing in Maylands will sound its last bells and officially close in the first half of 2022, with funding committed in the 2021-22 State Budget.
After lengthy investigations, the State Government has determined the best option is to close the level crossing and upgrade key roads in the area.
Raising or lowering the rail was investigated, however, the impact on nearby infrastructure including Meltham and Maylands train stations and existing nearby road bridges would have been too disruptive.
A road bridge over the rail at Ferguson Street near Caledonian Avenue was considered but would have required more than 14 local homes to be demolished, reduced property access for nearby local homes and directed more through traffic onto 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, the number of services are set to increase dramatically, which would result in the boom gates being down even longer.
The McGowan Government has allocated $15 million to upgrade key local roads in the immediate area to provide better access to existing crossings, and improve safety and traffic flow.
This work will include:
- the removal of the level crossing and traffic lights at Caledonian Avenue;
- the upgrade of the intersection and installation of traffic signals at Guildford Road and Seventh Avenue;
- the upgrade of the intersection and pedestrian access at Guildford Road and Eighth Avenue;
- the upgrade and signalisation of the intersection at Whatley Crescent and Railway Parade; and
- the formalisation of two lanes of traffic in each direction on Whatley Crescent between Railway Parade and Garratt Road.
The McGowan Government is continuing its METRONET program of removing level crossings along the rail network, including throughout Victoria Park, Canning and Armadale - with up to 14 level crossings to be removed across the network.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"With the Forrestfield-Airport Link and Morley-Ellenbrook Line on the way, the level of disruption caused by the increased services would simply not be practical for traffic flow in the area if the boom gates continued to operate.
"A significant amount of planning work has been undertaken by my agencies and we have considered a whole range of options.
"However, these options would have meant the destruction of homes and disconnection of local side streets which is not in the best interests of the local community.
"We are going to close the level crossing in early 2022 and provide $15 million to upgrade key surrounding roads to improve safety and traffic flow for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
"We continue to engage with the local community on these improvements.
"The McGowan Government's continued strong and responsible financial management is allowing us to deliver our pipeline of key infrastructure works like METRONET - ensuring better transport links while creating quality local jobs for Western Australians."
