The Public Transport Authority (PTA) has confirmed it will monitor situation surrounding the Fremantle Road level crossing after resurfacing works caused a stir in the Gosnells community, with some local commuters claiming it’s now worse than before.
The westbound crossing seemingly now has a sharp incline in the middle, leaving drivers scratching their heads over the quality of the resurfacing work.
A Facebook post in the Gosnells Community Chat group, which has over 12,000 members, summed up the sentiment with a sharp critique, “Free suspension test on Fremantle Road! Didn’t they have a surveyor? Pretty poor planning, guys!” It stated.
Others echoed the frustrations, also pointing out the uneven surface. “This one is really bad. Very poor quality and workmanship,” one comment read. “It’s terrible,” another added.
The Examiner Newspapers reached out to the PTA for comment, and despite growing frustration in the community, a spokesperson confirmed they had not received any complaints (as of last week) about the level crossing since its resurfacing.
“The PTA has not received any complaints about this level crossing since Rail Revitalisation Program (RRP) construction work was completed,” the spokesperson said.
“While the level crossing is within the allowable design codes for the road’s posted speed limit, the PTA will continue to monitor the situation.”
The resurfacing of the Fremantle Road level crossing is part of the PTA Rail Revitalisation Program, aimed at improving infrastructure along the Armadale line between Kenwick and Sherwood stations.
This work includes the replacement of 15 kilometres of track, the resurfacing of 25 pedestrian and 10 road-level crossings, as well as upgrades to drainage systems, overhead lines, and other essential rail infrastructure.
Despite the 18-month shutdown of the Armadale line for the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal project, no level crossings between Kenwick and Sherwood stations are being removed, as the crossings past Beckenham won’t be impacted by the increased train frequency from the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.
However, the PTA confirmed last year that it aims to eventually remove all vehicle-level crossings on the suburban rail system.
“[We have] a long-term strategy to remove all vehicle crossings on the metropolitan passenger network. This is an ongoing, staged program of works driven by safety, congestion and train frequencies,” they said.
