As of today the notorious Footscray Road level crossing is no longer, with the crossing removed yesterday to alleviate traffic
As of today the notorious Footscray Road level crossing is no longer, with the crossing removed yesterday to alleviate traffic congestion.
Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas was there to see the level crossing removed, which is a part of the longer-term strategy to upgrade the Dynon Road Port Rail Link.
The $173.9 million project is the brainchild of the Brumby Government, funded in a partnership deal with the Federal Government.
Pallas says the project will separate road and rail access to the Port of Melbourne, with rail accessing the port via two new rail lines, constructed under the Footscray Road overpass.
The Dynon Port Rail Link project includes removal of not only the Footscray Road level crossing but also level crossings within the port precinct on Appleton Dock and Enterprise Roads.
“Work is also underway on the $45 million Tottenham-Dynon rail upgrade project that will allow more trains to access the port by duplicating tracks and removing bottlenecks,” Pallas says.
“The Dynon Port Rail Link project is almost complete, with commuters no longer forced to wait for freight trains to cross the single track to access the Port of Melbourne … all freight trains will use the two new freight lines constructed under the overpasses.”
Pallas says the project improves access and enables more freight to be carried to the port, reaffirming Melbourne’s position as the busiest and most efficient container port in Australia.
“Without the overpasses and the extra rail line this project has delivered, the number of trains accessing the port was significantly restricted,” he says.
“This project provides uninterrupted 24-hour rail access to the port, while significantly boosting traffic flow on Footscray Road.”
The Dynon Port Rail Link Project commenced in October 2007 and is being delivered by Leighton Contractors in partnership with the Brumby and Rudd Governments.