Melbourne port rail signals, crossing upgraded

Staff WriterJanuary 27, 2009, 12:00 amJanuary 27, 2009

The three-stage $37.9m modernisation and rationalisation of rail links around the port of Melbourne has completed another step with signals and a level crossing now upgraded in the Dynon precinct. By Rob McKayThe Dock Link Rd level crossing was the busiest in the precinct, with a daily average of 1000 truck movements, the Australian Rail Track Corporation said on January 24th. The $10m second stage involved the removal and replacement of 9400 sq metres of track, ballast and signaling infrastructure with 18 sets of points, 18 new signals and 18.5km of cabling. “The Missing Link project is a landmark upgrade of the infrastructure in the Melbourne Ports precinct,&quot ARTC chief executive David Marchant, who dubbed it “one of the most significant infrastructure improvements to the interstate rail network in modern history. “It represents a major milestone in improving the efficiency of freight movements through the ports precinct.” The upgrade is expected to help allow a more flexible operating environment at South Dynon which will result in increased yield and greater capacity, efficiency and reliability for both freight and passenger traffic. “It will also result in reduced maintenance costs and improved travel times,” Marchant said. The third and final stage of the project involves duplication of the single dual-gauge track which currently services the port. The duplication will result in double dual gauge track linking the port with the interstate rail network as well as a direct broad gauge connection between North Dynon and the port, aimed at allowing passenger and freight traffic to coexist more efficiently. The work was undertaken with ARTC’s partners South Improvement Alliance (SIA) with the primary contractors being John Holland, MVM and O’Donnell Griffin.Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lloydslistdcn.com.au">www.lloydslistdcn.com.au</a>&nbsp