A plan to remove level crossings on the Armadale line failed cost benefit assessment, with Business News last week revealing the Byford rail extension suffered the same fate.
A plan to remove level crossings on the Armadale line failed cost benefit assessment, with Business News last week revealing the Byford rail extension suffered the same fate.
In December, Infrastructure Australia declined to put the project on its priority list, warning the costs of the plan would significantly outweigh the social, economic and environmental benefits.
The state government submitted documents proposing six level crossing removals in a package on the inner Armadale Rail Line, and said it had a benefit-cost ratio of 0.36 and a shortfall of $569 million.
Those level crossings include Mint Street, Oats Street and Welshpool Road, which would be united by a 1.6 km elevated rail line with two elevated stations.
Last week, Business News revealed the $480 million plan to extend the Byford rail line, currently in procurement stage, had failed the government’s cost benefit analysis with a score of 0.45 and a shortfall of $380 million.
But the state and federal government have said they will proceed with the project.
Business News also revealed the Albany Ring Road, a $171 million project, scored 0.71.
Both were rejected from Infrastructure Australia’s priority list.
All up, that's $1 billion of projects which failed the assessment.
Build on
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the government respected the evaluation process for the Inner Armadale level crossings, but the assessment was not broad enough.
“While we respect the IA evaluation process we believe assessing the project solely on the basis of quantifiable economic outcomes is too narrow and does not recognise the wide-reaching land use and community benefits,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The new level crossing project through Victoria Park will remove the level crossings at Oats Street, Mint Street, and Welshpool Road.
“The removal of these crossings, together with elevated rail will help improve connections and create more public open space in the area.
“It will facilitate new urban regeneration opportunities and new developments in the area.
“The removal of the boom gates will reduce the time motorists spend at the level crossings.
“Recent analysis showed Oats Street boom gates are closed 233 times a day for up to 1 minute 33 seconds per closure meaning it is down for up to six hours daily.”
