Contracts have been signed for a $125m Australian port rail
project that improve supply chain logistics and reduce congestion.
The Victorian Government in Australia has signed contracts
with WSP and Seymour Whyte Constructions for the design and early contract
works for the Port Rail Transformation Project at the Port of Melbourne.
Peter Anderson, CEO of the Victorian Transport Association
(VTA), said: “The VTA has long advocated for greater productivity gains at the
Port to make it an even more competitive destination for importers and
exporters of freight.
“Investing in rail in and out of the Port will make
transporting freight from distribution centres an even more seamless
undertaking, helping to reduce pressure on the road network for motorists and
road transport operators whose freight cannot be brought into the Port via
rail.
“It is important to note this project is not about a net
reduction in freight for road transport operators because attaining
productivity and efficiency gains will enable the Port of Melbourne to attract
greater volumes of freight, which is good news for road, rail and sea freight
operators.”
The project will create productivity and efficiency
improvements for operators servicing the Port of Melbourne by reducing road
congestion in and out of the Port through diversification of how freight is
transported over the last mile.
According to the Victorian Government, the works will
include a new rail terminal interfacing with the container terminal at East
Swanson Dock. Site investigations will begin in March with construction
expected to commence in July. The project is set to be completed in 2023.
Victorian Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said the
Government is also supporting the Port Rail Shuttle Network connecting freight
hubs in Melbourne’s west, north and south east to the port, new intermodal
terminals planned at Truganina and Beveridge, and improvements in the regional
rail freight network.
The VTA also welcomed the creation of Ports Victoria,
bringing together the Victorian Regional Channels Authority and Victorian Ports
Corporation (Melbourne).
“It makes sense to consolidate the operations of our ports and
waterways bureaucracies, as recommended by the Independent Review of the
Victorian Ports System,” Mr Anderson said.