<p>Victorian transport minister Peter Batchelor opened the rail access line and intermodal facility at P&O Trans Australia’s international container terminal at Swanson Dock West in the port of Melbourne this morning (Monday, February 24).</p> <p>The $20m rail and transport upgrade will significantly boost the dock’s capacity to handle freight, helping to realise the government’s target of putting 30% of freight onto rail by the year 2010.</p> <p>At present 17% of containers arrive or depart at the port of Melbourne by rail.</p> <p>Mr Batchelor said the rail facility will benefit port users and the local community.</p> <p>"Reducing the terminal’s reliance on road transport will lesson the impact of trucks on roads, both in the ports and in local communities," he said.</p> <br />
