Alkimos railway station

Alkimos
Entrance to a station building
Alkimos station entrance
General information
LocationAlkimos, Western Australia
Australia
Coordinates31°36′55″S 115°41′33″E / 31.61528°S 115.69250°E / -31.61528; 115.69250
Owned byPublic Transport Authority
Operated byPublic Transport Authority
Line(s)     Yanchep line
Distance43.0 km (26.7 mi) from Perth Underground
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Bus stands8
ConnectionsBus
Construction
Structure typeCutting
Parking615 bays
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Fare zone5
History
Opened14 July 2024 (14 July 2024)
Passengers
Predicted3,616 per day in 2031
Services
Preceding station Transperth Transperth Following station
Butler
towards Elizabeth Quay
 Yanchep line Eglinton
towards Yanchep
Location
Map
Location of Alkimos station

Alkimos railway station is a suburban rail station in Alkimos, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Situated on Transperth's Yanchep line, the station consists of two side platforms within a cutting below a ground-level concourse, with a bus interchange for feeder bus services.

Since planning for the Yanchep line, originally known as the Joondalup line, began in the 1980s, it has been planned for the line to eventually be extended to Yanchep. The Yanchep Rail Extension project began in 2017 to extend the Joondalup line by three stations and 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) to Yanchep, with the first station being Alkimos. Construction on Alkimos station had begun by late 2020. Originally planned to be completed by the end of 2021, Alkimos station and the Yanchep Rail Extension opened on 14 July 2024.

Trains at Alkimos station run at up to a five-minute frequency during peak hour, lowering to a fifteen-minute frequency off-peak and on weekends and public holidays. At night, trains are half-hourly or hourly. The journey to Perth Underground station takes 41 minutes. There are four bus routes that serve the station, which run to Butler station to the south and Eglinton station to the north.

Description

[edit]
Inside a building with fare gates and lifts that lead down to platform level
Concourse

Alkimos station is in Alkimos, a suburb of Perth in Western Australia. It is located north of Romeo Road and east of Marmion Avenue in an area undeveloped at the time of construction.[1] The station is 43.0 kilometres (26.7 mi) from Perth Underground station[2] and is in fare zone five.[3] The adjacent stations are Butler to the south and Eglinton to the north.[4]

Alkimos station consists of two side platforms sunk into a cutting. On top of the platforms is a large ground-level concourse, which is connected to the platform by a set of lifts, escalators, and stairs. North of the station itself is a bus interchange with eight stands encircling the railway, and further north, on either side of the railway are two car parks[1][5] with 615 bays in total. Other facilities include parking for bicycles and toilets. The station is fully accessible.[6]

Unlike the other stations on the Yanchep Rail Extension, the land surrounding Alkimos station is government owned and will be developed by DevelopmentWA.[7] Alkimos and Eglinton combined are planned to have a population of 60,000 when they are fully developed, and the land around the station, known as Alkimos Central, is planned to become a city centre for the surrounding area, with 15,000 jobs.[8][9][10]

Public art

[edit]
Artwork on a ceiling as described in the following paragraph
Artwork on the ceiling by Jarni McGuire representing the mythical Rainbow Serpent

On the station's interior concourse is an artwork titled Moon Over Ocean, Land Under Sun, by Caroline Christie-Coxon. This consists of two glazed discs either side of the entryway.[11] On the ceiling is an artwork by Jarni McGuire representing the mythical Rainbow Serpent and inspired by the Melaleuca paperbark tree. On the platform walls is a mural by Chris Nixon using horizontal lines to represent the coastline and waves washing up on the beach.[12]

History

[edit]

The original stage of the Yanchep line, formerly known as the Joondalup line, began construction in November 1989.[13][14] It was opened between Perth station and Joondalup station on 20 December 1992,[15][16] and was extended to Currambine station on 8 August 1993.[17] An extension to Clarkson station opened on 4 October 2004[18] and an extension to Butler station opened on 21 September 2014.[19][20] Since planning for the line began in the 1980s, it has been planned to eventually reach Yanchep.[21]

Alkimos station was built as part of the Yanchep Rail Extension, which involved the construction of 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) of track and two other stations: Eglinton and Yanchep.[22] The Yanchep Rail Extension originated from a commitment by the Labor Party prior to winning the 2017 state election to build the extension as part of its Metronet project.[23] In December 2019, the main contract for the Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie–Cockburn Link was awarded to the NEWest Alliance, a joint venture of CPB Contractors and Downer Group.[24][25]

Drone shot of a sandy construction site with concrete retaining walls and bridges
Alkimos station construction viewed from a drone in February 2023
Drone shot of a sandy construction site. The station now has its roof constructed.
Alkimos station viewed from a drone in August 2023

By the end of 2020, earthworks at Alkimos station had begun.[26][27] Designs for the station were revealed in August 2020.[28] The first major concrete pour for Alkimos station occurred in March 2021. Following that, it was planned for the concrete retaining walls and bridges to be built.[27] By May 2022, the retaining walls were complete and backfillling was ongoing[29] and by October 2022, construction of the platform and concourse had begun.[30] By March 2023, the concrete slab for the concourse had been completed and installation of the structure steel for the concourse had started.[31] The station's four escalators had been installed by May 2023,[32] and by June 2023, the structural steel was complete and work on the roof was ongoing.[33] In September 2023, work that was in progress included paving the platforms, lift car installation, and construction of the bus interchange canopies and ceilings and partitions for the platforms and concourse.[34] By March 2024, the station's structure was complete and internal fittings and furniture was being installed. Landscaping was underway and the public art pieces were being installed.[35]

The Yanchep Rail Extension was originally meant to open in late 2021.[22] This was first delayed to 2022. After the September 2021 state budget, the extension was delayed to late 2023.[36][37][38] After the May 2023 state budget, the government said that the Yanchep extension "is due for completion at the end of 2023, with services commencing in the new year".[39] At the end of 2023, the Yanchep extension was still under construction and services were planned to commence in the first half of 2024.[40][41] The actual opening date was revealed in April 2024.[42][43] The Yanchep Rail Extension and Alkimos station opened on 14 July 2024,[44][45][46] upon which, the Joondalup line was renamed the Yanchep line.[42][47]

Services

[edit]
Train station platforms in a trench under a large concrete concourse
Platforms

Alkimos station is served by the Yanchep line on the Transperth network.[48] Services are operated by the PTA.[49] The line goes between Yanchep and Elizabeth Quay station in the Perth central business district, continuing south from there as the Mandurah line.[48] Peak headways are five to ten minutes, dropping to fifteen minutes outside of peak and on weekends and public holidays. A train journey from Alkimos to Perth takes 41 minutes.[48] It is projected that Alkimos station will have 3,616 boardings per day by 2031.[22]

The Alkimos station bus interchange has eight bus stands and four regular bus routes.[5] Routes 485 and 486 run to Butler station to the south. Routes 491 and 492 run to Eglinton station to the north.[50] Train replacement buses operate as route 904.[5] The number of bus routes is planned to significantly expand as the population of the surrounding area expands.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Alkimos Station Fact Sheet" (PDF). Metronet. August 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Manual – Rail Access" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. pp. 9–10. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Transperth Zone Map" (PDF). Transperth. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Transperth Zone Map" (PDF). Transperth. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Alkimos Station Map" (PDF). Transperth. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Alkimos Station". Transperth. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Alkimos Central – Overview". DevelopmentWA. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  8. ^ Emery, Kate (6 September 2018). "Alkimos train station works on Yanchep line signals start of Metronet". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  9. ^ Kagi, Jacob (6 September 2018). "Alkimos to become Perth's next northern suburbs hub as part of Metronet rail extension". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  10. ^ Hastie, Hamish (6 September 2018). "Alkimos' future revealed". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  11. ^ METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension – Public Art Installation by Caroline Christie Coxon. Metronet. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Yanchep Rail Extension: Public Art". Metronet. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Our history". Public Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  14. ^ Westrail (1990). Annual Report 1989–1990. pp. 29–30.
  15. ^ Lawrence, Carmen (20 December 1992). "Opening of Perth–Joondalup rail link" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  16. ^ Hooker, Peter (21 December 1992). "Transperth tips rail boom". The West Australian. p. 4.
  17. ^ Charlton, Eric (17 July 1993). "Opening of Currambine railway station next month" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  18. ^ MacTiernan, Alannah; Gallop, Geoff (4 October 2004). "Gallop Government delivers northern rail extension on time and budget" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Butler train station and rail extension opens". ABC News. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Barnett opens rail extension as first train leaves Butler station". WAtoday. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  21. ^ Urban Rail Electrification Steering Committee (November 1989). Northern Suburbs Transit System: Perth – Joondalup Railway: Master Plan Executive Summary (PDF). p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024 – via State Records Office of Western Australia.
  22. ^ a b c d "Yanchep Rail Extension Project Definition Plan" (PDF). Metronet. June 2018. pp. 2, 4, 26. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  23. ^ Caporn, Dylan (8 February 2017). "Trains to Yanchep by 2021 with $386m Labor plan". The West Australian. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  24. ^ McGowan, Mark; Saffioti, Rita (17 December 2019). "Joint media statement – Another METRONET project gets underway, as major contract signed". Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  25. ^ "WA Government signs contracts with NEWest Alliance". Railway Technology. 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Eight months of milestones for Yanchep Rail Extension". Metronet. 17 December 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Yanchep Rail Extension taking shape". Metronet. 21 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  28. ^ Jarvis, Lucy (11 August 2020). "Latest station designs revealed for Yanchep rail extension". PerthNow. Wanneroo Times. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Yanchep Rail Extension CRG 9 – Minutes" (PDF). Metronet. 16 May 2022. p. 2. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Shaping up at Alkimos Station". Metronet. 16 October 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  31. ^ "Yanchep Rail Extension CRG 12 – Minutes" (PDF). Metronet. 27 March 2023. p. 2. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  32. ^ "One small step for Yanchep, one giant leap for Perth-kind!". Metronet. 16 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Yanchep Rail Extension CRG 13 – Minutes" (PDF). Metronet. 26 June 2023. p. 2. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Yanchep Rail Extension CRG 14 – Minutes" (PDF). Metronet. 18 September 2023. p. 3. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Finishing touches for all stations". Metronet. 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  36. ^ "Project schedules adjusted to suit current economic conditions". Metronet. 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  37. ^ Clarke, Jenna (9 September 2021). "Metronet projects, including Thornlie-Cockburn link and Yanchep train line, will be delayed by 12-months". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  38. ^ de Kruijff, Peter (9 September 2021). "State projects delayed to ease pressure on 'hot' WA construction market". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  39. ^ "State Budget delivers continued METRONET investment". Metronet. 11 May 2023. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  40. ^ Dietsch, Jake (22 December 2023). "First test run for $1.8b Metronet Yanchep rail extension marks major milestone after years of delays". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  41. ^ Saffioti, Rita (22 December 2023). "Joint media statement – First test train on track at Yanchep" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  42. ^ a b Cook, Roger; Saffioti, Rita (23 April 2024). "Joint Media Statement – Date Announced For First Train Services On Metronet Yanchep Rail Extension" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  43. ^ Dietsch, Jake (23 April 2024). "Metronet project: July opening date announced from Butler to Yanchep railway extension". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  44. ^ Rintoul, Caitlyn (14 July 2024). "Yanchep rail extension officially opened after significant delays and cost blow outs". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  45. ^ Cook, Roger; Saffioti, Rita (14 July 2024). "Joint media statement – METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension officially open" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  46. ^ Burmas, Grace; Png, Kenith (14 July 2024). "WA government hails Yanchep train extension 'spectacular project' despite cost, time blow-outs". ABC News. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  47. ^ Lopez, Erick; Dietsch, Jake (27 April 2024). "Mayor questions name change on train line from Joondalup to Yanchep as opening date is revealed". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  48. ^ a b c "Yanchep Line Train Timetable" (PDF). Transperth. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  49. ^ "Transperth". Public Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  50. ^ "Yanchep Line Bus Network: Alkimos – Yanchep". Transperth. Archived from the original on 22 June 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
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