Smoothing the journey during
the Armadale Line shutdown

• 130 year old rail line is closed for 18 months as its transformed as part of METRONET
• New state of the art technology deployed to minimises impacts on commuters as rail replacement bus services ramped up

The 130-year-old Armadale train line is set to be transformed through three significant METRONET projects: Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal, the connection of the new Thornlie- Cockburn Link to the Mandurah and Thornlie lines, and Byford Rail Extension. Together these projects will deliver 5.5 kilometres of elevated rail lines, seven new stations and remove 13 level crossings.

To enable work on these major projects, the Armadale and Thornlie lines are currently shut until mid-2025.

Due to the busy nature of the routes involved, significant disruptions to the road network were expected. We worked alongside METRONET, Transperth, Public Transport Authority and Department of Transport teams, plus the Town of Victoria Park to develop a mitigation strategy for helping to manage traffic impacts and prioritising bus movements for the period of the shutdown that started in late 2023. The mitigation included delivering several Intelligent Transport Systems, operational measures and civil upgrades along key routes in the area.

We activated virtual receivers at 40 traffic signals to monitor bus movements on the network that had the ability to automatically keep traffic lights green for up to 30 additional seconds for late-running rail replacement buses.

Two fixed variable message signs and six portable signs were installed at key locations along the network providing drivers with real-time information and travel times for different routes. The aim was to enable drivers to make informed decisions about their journey on -route when unexpected disruptions occurred on the network arising from traffic or other incidents impacting journey times.

Additionally, nine new CCTV cameras were installed, and a dedicated Incident Response Service was created to monitor and support reliable journeys along Shepperton Road and Albany Highway. This new service provides our real-time operators with extensive coverage of key routes and enable us to rapidly respond to events and incidents.