Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian State Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder have welcomed the completion of the $40 million Altona Intermodal Enhancement project, hailing the initative as an important step towards growing the rail freight sector.

 

“The improvement of rail access to the Altona Intermodal precinct is the first 
such project in Victoria to be completed under our Nation Building Program, with the Wimmera project in Horsham on track to be completed later this year,” Mr Albanese said.
 
Altona Intermodal Enhancement project was jointly funded by the Federal ($32 million) and Victorian ($8 million) governments.
 
Mr Mulder said freight volumes were expected to double in Victoria in the next 
two decades, prompting a need to further develop a statewide network of intermodal terminals ot enhance capacity and better handle the expected growth in container movements.

 

“The Altona Intermodal Enhancement project will improve standard gauge rail access for intermodal terminal operations in Altona,” said Mr Mulder.
 
“The project involved construction of an extension to the existing standard gauge passing loop to accommodate 1,800 metre long freight trains, new points providing access from terminals to the mainline and associated signalling and track works along this section of the Melbourne to Adelaide standard gauge line.”
 
The rail access will be used by SCT Logistics and Westgate Ports Pty Ltd following further works to connect their terminal sidings to the new rail points.