The Allan Labor Government is partnering with the freight industry and Transurban on a new trial to take livestock trucks off city streets - making travel simpler and safer for pedestrians, drivers and livestock.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today announced a 12-month trial will kick off early next year allowing livestock trucks to use the Burnley and Domain tunnels - helping to take up to 600 trucks off city streets each week.
Delivered in partnership with Transurban and City of Melbourne, it will mean large livestock trucks no longer have to rely on travelling on busy city streets including City Road, Power Street, Olympic Boulevard and Hoddle Street.
Livestock trucks had been banned from the tunnels due to low-clearance infrastructure but thanks to recent upgrades which raised the overhead infrastructure to a safe height - these trucks can now pass through without posing risks to the animals.
To support the trial, additional signage and road markings will be added on arterial roads, helping livestock truck drivers navigate the busy city freeways more easily.
This builds on the Labor Government's track record of getting trucks off local roads, including a $10.2 million investment in camera technology to enforce 24/7 truck bans in the inner west and a lease with the Port of Melbourne that will reduce truck trips to and from the Port.
The freight and logistics sector contributes $21 billion to Victoria's economy and employs about 260,000 Victorians. Freight volumes are predicted to increase from around 360 million tonnes in 2014 to nearly 900 million tonnes in 2051.
As stated by the Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"This trial is a win-win for our city and our freight industry. By taking livestock trucks off inner-city streets and into the tunnels, we're improving road safety while also keeping our freight sector moving."
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
"The welfare of livestock - whether on farm or in transit - is important to all Victorians, transporting livestock in the most direct and safest route will improve their wellbeing and safety."
As stated by Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor
"Allowing trucks to go through the tunnel instead of travelling through our busy streets like City Road will help keep our pedestrians and drivers safe."
As stated by the Transurban Group Executive Australian Markets Nicole Green
"Road safety is paramount for Transurban. We've been making changes to our tunnel infrastructure in recent years and this, coupled with modernisation of vehicles transporting livestock, has made using the tunnels a viable option."
As stated by Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece
"Taking trucks off City Road will save lives and improve safety for all road users. This change will mean safer and cleaner streets for Southbank residents."
