Question 7523
Question asked by: Member for Morwell
Directed to: Minister for Public Transport
Asked on: 3 May 2016
REPLY:
The Level Crossing Removal Authority has had regular discussions with Australian Paper regarding the level crossing removal project on the Cranbourne—Pakenham line. This has included gauging Australian Paper’s feedback on the design of the elevated structure, as well as consulting with the company regarding the planning of freight movements during the construction phase of the project. This consultation will continue as the project progresses.
I can assure you that Australian Paper freight trains from Gippsland will be able to travel along the elevated rail structure.
The elevated rail design minimises impact to rail freight movements. As the design is being built over the existing rail line, construction can predominantly occur while trains are still running. In contrast, removing all nine level crossings by sending the rail line under the road at each crossing location would require around 230 days of rail line closures over two years of construction, thereby having a detrimental impact on all rail freight services from Gippsland.
