The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has welcomed progress on the Port Rail Transformation Project at the Port of Melbourne following the Victorian government’s $125 million for next stage of works.
The Association says under the package Melissa Horne, Victorian Ports and Freight Minister unveiled, a new Coode Road on-dock rail terminal connecting with the Swanson Dock East International Container Terminal will be constructed.
It adds that this will include two new rail sidings of shipping containers and provide an east-west link within the Swanson Dock Precinct so trucks will no longer need to exit to Footscray Road.
“The government is to be commended for seeing through its commitments to improve rail freight connections within the Port of Melbourne precinct, which will create greater efficiencies and productivity gains for road, rail and sea freight operators,” Peter Anderson, VTA CEO, says.
“This project is not about reducing the workload for road freight operators; it’s about creating a more efficient intermodal transport system that has benefits for operators right throughout the supply chain,” he adds.
The VTA notes other works include improvements to the Swanson common user rail sidings to cater for 600-metre-long freight trains and a new rail connection linking the Swanson and Appleton lead tracks, allowing greater flexibility for trains to move within the port precinct.
“Every investment that creates opportunities to increase our freight capacity means more work for road freight operators because as I’ve always said: ships, planes and trains carry freight but only trucks can deliver,” Peter says.
“The port rail project will free up road freight operators to take on work that has better margins, and at the same time reduce congestion at the port gate for heavy vehicles moving in and out of the precinct.”
The VTA says construction crews have prepared underground services and drainage, along with foundation works for the new rail tracks and associate rail infrastructure.
It adds that on completion, the project will result in major rail supply chain efficiencies benefiting producers, transport operators and exporters servicing the Port of Melbourne.
On-dock rail is part of the Victorian and Commonwealth governments’ $58 million Port Rail Shuttle Network, which will provide direct rail connections from the Port of Melbourne to major freight hubs in the city’s north, west, and south-east, notes the VTA. It says the project is scheduled for completion in mid-2023.
For more information on the Victorian Transport Association, click here.