Final improvement works are being made to key Victorian freight rail infrastructure to ensure the year’s grain harvest can make its way to the Port of Geelong quickly and efficiently.
Upgrades will be undertaken on signalling systems in the North Geelong and North Shore area, the final stages of works through the Geelong C Box Project.
Before the upgrades, rail signals had to be changed by hand, which slowed down grain exports and limits the type of trains that can access the terminal.
As a result of the works, more grain trains will be able to travel to Victoria’s grain growing regions to the Port of Geelong before being shipped internationally.
The automated C-Box will mean train movements can be controlled from V/Line’s train control centre, allowing for both standard and broad-gauge trains to access the grain site.
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Rail engineering and signalling experts will be working within the rail corridor and at rail crossings during the works, with traffic management systems in place at rail crossings.
Victorian Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said the upgrades will make the task of getting grain to port quicker and easier, with works to be completed in time for the upcoming grain season.
“With Victorian grain growers set to experience a bumper harvest this year, it is important we can move grain efficiently from the farm gate to port via Geelong’s rail freight network,” she said.
“The Geelong C Box Project will remove the need for manual signalling, doubling the capacity of the grain loop and eliminating wait times.”
Works are expected to be completed by mid-October.