WA removes its first level crossing on the METRONET program

Construction of Denny Avenue Level Crossing courtesy of METRONET.

The boom gates at Denny Avenue Level Crossing were down for the final time on Thursday April 1st 2021.

Crews closed the Kelmscott level crossing permanently last week allowing them to get on with the new rail-over-road underpass construction works at Davids Road.

Works will now include removal and decommissioning of the level crossing infrastructure, excavating the underpass road, laying nearly 850 metres of rail track and building the new Principal Shared Path (PSP) over the underpass.

Approximately 5000 cubic tonnes of fill will be imported to support the new rail and PSP. It is predicted that 100 trucks movements are needed per day, with six trucks delivering fill every 30 minutes.

A 100-year old water main on the Albany Highway will also be replaced in construction along with the upgrading of the Albany Highway surface and its drainage.

Expected to open later this month the level crossing is the first one to be removed under the METRONET Level Crossing Removal Program.

Premier Mark McGowan said the closure of Denny Avenue level crossing is a big deal for commuters with big benefits as it removes a significant bottle neck in the area.

“METRONET is the biggest rail infrastructure program to be delivered in Western Australia and we now have nine projects underway,” he said.

“These works are creating opportunities for local businesses and supporting thousands of local jobs as our economy continues to recover from COVID-19.”

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said as a former Kelmscott Senior High School student, I know firsthand how frustrating it is to be stuck at the dreaded Denny Avenue level crossing.

“If we didn’t work to remove this level crossing, by 2031 the total down time of the boom gates would be more than three and a half hours each day.”