Warwick railway station, Perth

Warwick Train Station is a Transperth train station 13km from Perth Train Station, in Western Australia. It is on the "Joondalup Line".

History

Prior to the commissioning of the site as a railway station, the location was originally a Bus Interchange known as the Warwick Bus Station. Opened in 1987, [cite book|author=Transperth|title=Timetable - K8|date=13 September 1987 Accessed at Battye Library, Perth.] it was similar in design and appearance to facilities constructed at Mirrabooka and Rockingham for the same purpose. It provided services connecting the Perth CBD to bus routes servicing the then rapidly expanding northern suburbs. The site also contains a privately operated Day Care Centre which remains in operation to this day.cite book
title = Design Development; Northern Suburbs Transit System; Warwick Transfer Station for Perth Electric - Perth Urban Rail Development
publisher =Anthony Brand, Brand Dekyn and Hay - Architects
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western Australia Accessed at Battye Library, Perth.]

The original bus station was connected to the adjoining Mitchell Freeway by a two-lane on/off ramp in both the north and south directions, constructed in the middle of the Mitchell Freeway reserve. It was constructed to service freeway express buses from Perth, services which were subsequently phased out with the opening of the railway station. [cite book
title = Northern Suburbs Transit System; Perth to Joondalup Railway; Progress Summary - June 1991
publisher =The Urban Rail Electrification Committee, Government of Western Australia
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western Australia Pg. 2. Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth] The on/off ramp was connected to the bus station via a bridge spanning the southbound lanes of the Freeway. The bus station was positioned on land north of the connecting bridge between the Freeway East Embankment (Controlled by the Main Roads Department), Hawker Avenue, land occupied by the Warwick Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and adjoining residential housing.

Design and construction

At the time of the station's design, it was recognised by The Urban Rail Electrification Committee that the placement of bus services in close proximity or direct connection to rail infrastructure was of significant importance.cite book
title = Northern Suburbs Transit System; Perth to Joondalup Railway; Progress Summary - June 1991
publisher =The Urban Rail Electrification Committee, Government of Western Australia
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western Australia Pg. 20. Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth] This was evidenced by the Kelmscott and Armadale Stations, and the then recently completed Cannington Station.

Under the Northern Suburbs Transit System Project, construction on the station was scheduled to commence on 16 November 1991, with completion expected by the end of December 1992. The Whitfords Station being of the exact same design was scheduled for construction in synchronisation with the Warwick Station.

The station was to include a number of facilities, including a bus concourse to connect with feeder bus services, information booths and offices for railway staff, amenities and services, as well as access services for mobility-impaired passengers in line with design requirements of the time. Further to this, pieces of the Passenger Information Network installed at the station included previously unseen electronic displays on the upper bus decks designed to provide drivers with information so they could connect with appointed trains or communicate with bus depot control in the event of delays. [cite book
title = Northern Suburbs Transit System; Perth to Joondalup Railway; Progress Summary - June 1991
publisher =The Urban Rail Electrification Committee, Government of Western Australia
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western Australia Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth] Passenger information systems across the network are currently being upgraded as part of the improvements being delivered under the New MetroRail Project. [cite web
title =Issue 14, September 2006
work =OnTrack Magazine
publisher =Public Transport Authority, Government of Western Australia
url =http://www.newmetrorail.wa.gov.au/Portals/0/NMR/Documents/Resources/Publications/On%20Track/OnTrack%202006-09.pdf
format =PDF
accessdate =2007-04-13 Pg. 8]

Car parking spaces were also included as part of the construction project, which included a significant numberquantify|date=August 2008 of on-grade parking bays on the eastern side of the station for commuter use.

The design of the station also allowed for the possible extension of the upper bus deck in a southward direction towards Beach Road. This extension would provide for five additional regular bus bays, as well as additional pedestrian access if required. [cite book
title = Design Development; Northern Suburbs Transit System; Warwick Transfer Station for Perth Electric - Perth Urban Rail Development
publisher =Anthony Brand, Brand Dekyn and Hay - Architects
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western AustraliaSection 3.2, Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth]

As part of the construction of the new railway station the on/off ramps used for buses were demolished; however the original bridge over the southbound lanes still remains intact to this day. A pedestrian pathway was added to the bridge to enable pedestrian movements across to the easy side of the station from a new footbridge linking to Methuen Way, Duncraig.

The most interesting part of the two stations was the upper bus deck. The deck was constructed of precast concrete that was formed off site, which was then transported to the site before being placed atop columns constructed as part of the stations foundations.Section 4.1.6] Precast concrete flooring was then put in place, held in specially formed ridges running the length of the beams.cite book
title = Design Development; Northern Suburbs Transit System; Warwick Transfer Station for Perth Electric - Perth Urban Rail Development
publisher =Anthony Brand, Brand Dekyn and Hay - Architects
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western AustraliaSection 4.1.6, Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth] This upper deck was the most expensive structural element of the station, and was the cause of significant attention and consideration as part of the design and construction process.

The new station was opened on 21 March 1993 for the commencement of regular passenger services, [cite book|author=Transperth|title=Bus Timetable - J11|date=21 March 1993 Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth] despite the station being officially opened on 20 December 1992 by the then Premier Dr. Carmen Lawrence.

Demolition and associated works

Once the new railway station including the bus concourse had opened, the old transfer station was demolished. The costs of demolition for the existing station were not included as part of the construction budget for the new railway station. [cite book
title = Design Development; Northern Suburbs Transit System; Warwick Transfer Station for Perth Electric - Perth Urban Rail Development
publisher =Anthony Brand, Brand Dekyn and Hay - Architects
date = 1991
location =Perth, Western AustraliaSection 1.4, Accessed at J S Battye Library, Perth] The land resulting from the demolition of the transfer station was then converted into additional commuter car parking space, bringing the available number of bays up to 830.

Platforms

Platforms currently in use are as follows:Transperth Platforms
p1name=1
p1linecolor=white
p1linebackground=#A6AA12
p1linename=
p1stop=All stations, C
p1destcolor=#E54339
p1destname=
p1notes=
p2name=2
p2linecolor=white
p2linebackground=#A6AA12
p2linename=
p2stop=All stations, W
p2destcolor=#A6AA12
p2destname=
p2notes=Shuttle weekdays only

Bus routes

Buses are provided at Warwick Train Station for transfers to buses.

ee also

*Path Transit

References