The worst is nearly over

THE worst is nearly over for Perth commuters with the last major train station shut down scheduled for next week.

From next Wednesday afternoon until the first service on Monday, August 5, Perth Underground train station will be closed, affecting the Fremantle, Joondalup and Mandurah lines, but Perth station will remain open.

The shut down is part of the biggest planned rail disruption in Transperth’s history and the third major train station closure since the project to connect Perth’s CBD to Northbridge started in August 2011 by sinking the Fremantle train line.

Perth City Link Rail Alliance rail manager Dion Di Crescenzo said the shut down was so work could be completed that would allow trains to switch between the Joondalup and Fremantle line tunnels, which would improve how the network operates.

‘Perth Underground station must close to allow the track and electrical reconnections to be done, including signalling, overheads and communications,’ he said.

‘All the work which impacted Perth station, including tiling and track works, was completed in shut one.’

The shut down earlier this month was to connect the new Fremantle Line tunnel to the rail network, with trains using the 600m tunnel under the CBD since July 18.

This will allow construction to begin above ground, which will include 1650 new dwellings and 244,000sq m of new retail and commercial space.

Mr Di Crescenzo said though the benefits of this shut down would not be as easy to see as the last, it would provide the Public Transport Authority and Transperth with more operational flexibility.

As the first shut down was during school holidays, this will be the first time students have experienced the disruption.

Transperth spokesman David Hynes urged parents, students and teachers to plan ahead as the journey to and from school would take longer and connections would be affected.

‘This could be especially important if the child has sporting or other commitments before or after school,’ he said.

He said there would be dedicated replacement services for some key schools.

Tyler Brown

1.30pm Wednesday, July 31 to last service Sunday, August 4

– Fremantle line: services cancelled, bus and ferry replacement services available

– Joondalup line: services terminate at Leederville, replacement buses available

– Mandurah line: services terminate at Esplanade (no buses, passengers encouraged to walk to the city)

– Armadale, Midland and Thornlie Lines: no impact

Please remember

– Add at least 45 minutes extra travel time to your journey

– There will be more congestion on the roads

– Regular bus routes may be quicker than replacement buses

West Coast Eagles”Gold Coast Suns

ADDITIONAL shuttle buses will operate on Saturday, August 3 to help fans attending the AFL game at Subiaco Oval.

– Joondalup line: walk from Leederville station to Subiaco Oval or catch a replacement bus from Leederville to Perth and transfer to the football shuttle from Wellington Street bus station

– Armadale, Midland and Thornlie lines: catch a train replacement bus from Wellington Street bus station

– Mandurah line: catch a football shuttle from the Esplanade busport

– Fremantle line: catch a train replacement bus outside any Fremantle line station to West Leederville

Fremantle ferry

A 300-passenger ferry will do five return times a day between the Barrack Street Jetty and Fremantle B Shed.

The first ferry service will leave Barrack Street at 5.45am with the last leaving Fremantle at 7.15pm. The non-stop trip will take just over one hour.

On Wednesday, July 31, there will only be two return services with the first leaving Barrack Street at 2.45pm.

Cycling

THE Public Transport Authority will provide free bicycle parking facilities outside Perth station.

The temporary U-rails will be in an undercover area at the Wellington Street entrance of the station, opposite Forrest Place.

Cyclists will need to bring their own locks.

There is also City of Perth bicycle parking at Elder Street. Fees apply.