Design contract awarded for strengthening of Shepherd Bridge on Footscray Road as part of the Victorian Government’s Truck Action Plan
May
6, 2010
The design contract has been awarded for the strengthening of Shepherd Bridge on Footscray Road as part of the Victorian Government’s Truck Action Plan (TAP).
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas says the contract award for the Shepherd Bridge project is an important part of the TAP for Melbourne’s inner-western suburbs.
“We understand people are concerned about trucks on our roads, which is why the Brumby Labor Government is building a better and a more efficient transport system,” he says.
“VicRoads has engaged Aecom Australia as the engineering firm to develop concept plans and designs to upgrade Shepherd Bridge in Yarraville. The awarding of this contract illustrates the progress that is being made on this important project.
“Late last year, we announced $11 million towards planning for the first stage of the Truck Action Plan, including for strengthening works on Shepherd Bridge.
“Since that time, VicRoads has finalised planning study investigations to determine the scope and complexity of the TAP project, including environmental, heritage and social impacts as well as undertaking ground feature survey, pavement and geotechnical studies.”
Pallas says community consultation has also taken place, with the community’s input helping shape the scope of the works and the design of alignment options for the project.
“Technical reports and update newsletters have been made available to all via the VicRoads website, with more expected soon,” he says.
The upgrade of Shepherd Bridge is part of the preliminary work on the Truck Action Plan project to create a freight corridor from the West Gate Freeway to the port precinct.
Member for Footscray Marsha Thomson says the Truck Action Plan was a key project in the Brumby r Government’s 2009 Infrastructure Australia submission.
“The Truck Action Plan is one part of our integrated transport plan for the west that includes public transport and land planning solutions,” she says.
“It’s a vital project that will create an alternative route for freight to access the Port of Melbourne and remove thousands of trucks from inner west suburban streets, away from residential areas.”
Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan says VicRoads work is progressing well for the first stage of the plan, estimated to cost $380 million.
“A decision on the preferred route alignment is expected to be announced later this year,” he says.
“In the meantime, once designs for Shepherd Bridge are complete, tenders for construction of the upgrade will be advertised, with construction is expected to begin later this year.”