Operator anticipates 1700 extra truck movements during upcoming rail closure

A major construction industry supplier says an upcoming 45-day shutdown of the Shepparton rail line will have a major impact on how it goes about moving its freight.

Heidelberg Materials Australia will need to make approximately 1700 truck trips – up to 40 trucks for each day the rail line is closed. The company revealed that each train carries the equivalent of about 30 trucks.

The Shepparton Line will be closed from Wednesday October 31 to Sunday December 14, while work to complete installation, commission and test the line’s new signalling system takes place.

Crews will carry out signalling construction along the line, including cabling and installing trackside signalling equipment between Seymour and Shepparton.

Works will also include safety testing of new infrastructure along the 87-kilometre stretch of rail line, driver training, and the complex commissioning work needed to bring the new system into operation and enable trains to safely operate more often.

As the work taking place during the disruption involves rail signals, it can only safely take place when trains aren’t running.The company will need around 1700 truck trips to replace the cancelled rail services during the closure. Image: Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials Australia told Big Rigs that the company will face significant disruption during the 45-day shutdown. “We will make around 1700 truck trips to replace approximately 58 cancelled rail services during this period,” said a company spokesperson, adding that they will work to minimise the impacts on the community, road users and customers during this period.

“We strongly encourage early collaboration and engagement to help reduce future impacts, ensuring essential rail occupations are aligned with user needs to achieve the best outcome for all.”

However Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO, Peter Anderson, said the shutdown is necessary. “Closing a rail line down to improve signalling and make sure it’s safe is what you have to do to make sure you don’t have a rail accident.

“It’s about rail safety, it’s about road safety and making sure this work, which is part of the regional rail upgrade, is done as quickly as possible.”

With additional trucks running along the Hume as a result of the rail closure, Anderson is imploring all road users to do the right thing.

“There will be more pressure on roads and more bottlenecks so we need to make sure people are aware, that they’re safe on the road and most importantly that truck drivers are driving safely on the road,” added Anderson.

“What we would implore local residents to do is to report bad behaviour. If they see a truck driver not doing the right thing, we want to know about that and ensure the industry is not being brought down by people who disobey the law.”

The Department of Transport and Planning (DOT) said it works closely with freight operators and V/Line, to find ways to limit disruptions and ensure planned works are communicated in advance to help give as much notice as possible during these times.

DOT told Big Rigs it began notifying freight operators of these upgrades in April, July and August.

“We will continue to work with them [freight operators] to manage the impact of these critical upgrades.”