Freight operators will soon have better access to the Chullora Intermodal with the Federal and NSW governments agreeing to jointly fund the first stage of upgrades of the local roads connecting the facility to the Hume Highway.
The $345,000 project will target Muir Road between Rockwood Road and Dasea Street as well as Dasea Street to the entrance of the terminal – see attached map.
The package of works will involve resurfacing sections of these two roads as well as strengthening their foundations at various points, measures that will allow them to be used by heavier vehicles.
Infrastructures Australia has estimated that the current restrictions on the use of these roads has cost the economy and freight operators some $22 million over the past five years.
The Federal Government has committed $172,500 to the project, with the NSW Government providing the balance.
"In addition to the Federal Government, this project also involves a partnership with Bankstown Council and I look forward to working with them to get it done," said Mr Gay.
"We expect work to begin in coming months and be completed before the end of the year."
New Toll terminal for Perth
Domestic freight forwarder Toll Intermodal, part of Toll Group, has celebrated the opening of its new interstate freight forwarding facility in Kewdale in Perth's southeast.
Toll Domestic Forwarding divisional director Paul Ebsworth said: "This high-tech, $47 million facility is one of the most advanced of its kind in Australia, and is a key part of the Toll Intermodal network.
"Toll recognises the growing appetite for intermodal movement of freight in Australia, and is investing to take full advantage.
"Toll Intermodal's Kewdale site is part of comprehensive, national intermodal services for our customers from Cairns to Perth."
Toll worked with Asciano's rail division, leading rail operator Pacific National Rail, located next to the Toll site to implement the Cargo Link concept, directly transferring freight between sites without using the road.
The direct interface between the two sites reduces container handling times and enables the faster and more efficient delivery of freight.
"Now that we can access each other's sites directly, containers can be transferred without needing to be loaded onto trucks and driven via road and unloaded again."
Mr Ebsworth said since the Kewdale facility started operations in late February, Toll was already seeing the benefits of Cargo Link.
"We have reduced truck journeys between sites by around 400 trips each week. We're running a more efficient business that also provides a better service to our customers."
