High Wycombe railway station, Perth

High Wycombe railway station is a future railway station currently under construction on the Transperth network. When completed, it will be the terminus of the Airport line, 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi) from Bayswater station serving the suburbs of Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Maida Vale, and Kalamunda.[1][2][3]

High Wycombe
Location	Dundas Road, Forrestfield Western Australia Australia
Coordinates	31°57′18″S 115°59′32″E
Owned by	Public Transport Authority
Operated by	Transperth
Line(s)	Airport line
Distance	8.5 kilometres from Bayswater
Platforms	2
Tracks	2
Bus stands	12
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Under construction
Fare zone	2
Electrified	Yes
Services
Preceding station Transperth Following station Under development Airport Central towards Perth Airport line Terminus

The station is planned to open in 2021.[4]

History

In April 2016, the $1.176 billion contract for the Forrestfield–Airport Link was awarded to a joint venture by Italian company Salini Impregilo and Australian company NRW.[5] Construction commenced in late 2016, with Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Sandy launching from the 12-metre-deep (39 ft) dive structure at the site of the station in October 2017.[6]

As part of the project, Dundas Road was closed and realigned between Maida Vale Road and Imperial Street in Forrestfield, in order for the 300-metre-long (980 ft) retaining wall for the station to be constructed. Prior to the realignment, the road bisected the construction site which resulted in safety and congestion issues. The new section of Dundas Road opened in August 2018.[7][8]

In September 2018, a leak in a passage between two tunnels caused a sinkhole to develop about 200 metres (660 ft) north of the station site, forcing the closure of Dundas Road. The leak also resulted in movement within 16 concrete rings and damage to a 26-metre-long (85 ft) section of one tunnel, delaying the completion of the project from the end of 2020 to the second half of 2021. Dundas Road was reopened in late December after ground stabilisation works.[9][10]

The station passed the 50 per cent completion landmark in September 2019, with the installation of structures such as the twin 16-tonne (35,000 lb) escalators, and the 36 concrete walls which make up the 150-metre-long (490 ft) platform. Much of the content was locally built, such as the steel beams and columns used to support the roof.[11]

A major milestone was achieved in November 2019, with the first delivery of rail arriving at the station site. More than 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) of rail had been unloaded since the end of the month, with welding and installation commencing in the first half of 2020.[12]

Design

High Wycombe railway station will be located in a cutting with an at-grade entrance, for reasons such as security and convenience to the public.[13] Access to the platform will be via SmartRider fare gates, with escalators, lifts, and stairs taking passengers down to meet the train. The distinctive steel roof will serve as an clearly identifiable entry point, with its matte finish reducing glare to pilots flying overhead.[1]

Cyclists will be able to access the station safely with pathways that minimise interaction with vehicles. Bicycles can be stored within 180 weather protected, secure bicycle parking bays constructed near the station entrance.

Bus interchange

A major bus interchange, consisting of 8 active bays and 4 layover bays will be located directly at the station entry, so that passengers can transfer between train and bus services without the need to cross any roads. It is estimated that the current 70-minute journey from Kalamunda to Perth central business district will be halved to just over 30 minutes with the planned feeder bus service.[14]

Parking

Due to the large catchment size of the station, a multi-deck car park accommodating 1200 cars will be built to satisfy demand for parking. The three-level car park will be situated between Maida Vale Road and Ibis Place. Initial plans called for an at-grade car park, however, the current design was preferred as it allows for passengers to park within 300 metres (980 ft) of the station entrance. 80 drop off bays will also be built close to the station entrance. Construction will commence in 2020.[15]

Services and platforms

High Wycombe will be served by Transperth services operating to and from Perth.

References

1. "Forrestfield–Airport Link" (PDF). Public Transport Authority (WA). August 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
2. "Expression of Interest called for Forrestfield–Airport Link Project" Railway Digest April 2015 page 29
3. "Rail Route". Forrestfield Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
4. Forrestfield Station Fact Sheet (PDF), December 2018, retrieved 27 January 2019
5. "Construction overview". Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
6. "A second TBM has officially begun tunnelling at Forrestfield, as part of the $1.86 billion METRONET Forrestfield–Airport Link project". Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. 26 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 March 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
7. Loneragan, David (6 September 2018). "Road realignment completed for Forrestfield Metronet station works". Rail Express. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
8. "The realigned Dundas Road in Forrestfield is now open to traffic". Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. 30 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 March 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
9. "Leak in Forrestfield–Airport Link tunnel causes sinkhole on section of Dundas Road". The West Australian. 23 September 2018. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
10. Hondros, Nathan. "Forrestfield-Airport Link deadline blows out after Dundas Road sinkhole". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
11. "Forrestfield Station is now at 50 per cent completion, with the main building, roof and platform construction well advanced". Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. 4 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
12. "November 2019 Update". Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. 15 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
13. Brant, Nicholas (18 April 2019). "Perth's long-awaited airport rail link is on track to take off". Create Digital. Engineers Australia. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
14. "Improved Public Transport". Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
15. "Forrestfield Station car park fact sheet" (PDF). Forrestfield–Airport Link. Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 23 November 2019.

External links

• Forrestfield–Airport Link website page for Forrestfield railway station