Works to move more freight onto rail and take more trucks off local roads in Melbourne's south-east have progressed, as part of the Port Rail Shuttle Network (PRSN) project.
Crews have completed laying the track of a new rail connection, enabling freight to be transported more efficiently from Dandenong South to the Port of Melbourne.
The connection – known as a spur line – will also link the Cranbourne line to a new intermodal freight terminal to be constructed and operated by Salta Properties later this year.
As part of three key initiatives to be delivered as part of the PRSN, this will result in lower transport costs for businesses and take thousands of trucks off arterial and suburban roads.
Direct rail connections will be provided from the Port of Melbourne to major freight hubs in metropolitan Melbourne in the south-east, north and west.
Works to link the SCT Logistics terminal in Altona continue as part of the project, while construction at the Austrak terminal in Somerton is scheduled to take place later this year.
Once complete, PRSN will slash truck movements on suburban roads by up to 175,000 trips each year and cut freight transport costs by up to 10 per cent.
The work at Dandenong South is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project as part of the $1 billion Cranbourne Line Upgrade.
Passengers on the Cranbourne line are also benefiting from completed track duplication, which has increased train services to every 10 minutes in the morning peak.
