The VTA says that road and rail access to the Port has been neglected, and if meaningful and significant changes aren’t made now that cater to future freight increases, Victoria will lose business.
Among the infrastructure improvements needs are strengthening of bridges for longer and more efficient High Productivity Freight Vehicles, a freeway between CityLink and the Western Ring Road and an East-West Link.
VTA chief executive Peter Anderson said it made sense for the state government to encourage more truck movements at night, with policy settings and incentives for road and rail operators to access the port at off-peak times, rather than banning trucks from port access roads and increasing tolls.
The VTA’s statement comes after the Lonsdale Consortium, which hold the 50-year lease for the Port of Melbourne, said there were flaws apparent in future growth planning for the state and that necessary actions included strengthening the West Gate Bridge to allow for heavier trucks.
The VTA welcomed the opening of a discussion that “will lead to greater productivity and efficiency at the Port of Melbourne”.