A road freight study is being used to identify infrastructure constraints on the Central Murray road network with the aim of developing a plan for greater access for high productivity freight vehicles (HPFVs).
The Department of Transport will work with Swan Hill Rural City Council and Gannawarra Shire Council, with the Labor Government contributing $50,000 to the $75,000 project.
The Victorian Government says the study is an essential first step to improving the freight network for local farmers and industry and will provide evidence for further investments required to expand HPFV access restricted by load limits.
“We’ll work with the local Councils to establish a stronger and safer High Productivity Freight Vehicle network by identifying works that need doing across the Swan Hill and Gannawarra region,” said Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne.
“Road freight plays a vital role in transporting Victorian exports such as fruit, grain and other agricultural products, and this work will cut costs for farmers and freight operators, delivering better outcomes to local communities.”
The study will complement significant rail freight investments, such as the rail freight stimulus works on the Sea Lake and Dimboola lines that have replaced over 120,000 sleepers, removing more than 80 kilometres of speed restrictions, funded under the $83 million Building Works Freight package.
The Victorian government is also continuing to invest in the Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS), with $3.55 million allocated in the 2021/2022 Victorian State Budget to continue the program of freight corridors across the state.
The Central Murray road freight study analyses the changes needed on council-owned roads and structures to allow better access for efficient and modern HPFVs.
This investment complements the 3000 kilometres of arterial roads added to Victoria’s pre-approved High Productivity Freight Vehicle Network earlier in June.