Port of Melbourne invests in rail infrastructure

Port of Melbourne invests in rail infrastructure    The Port of Melbourne Corp. is investing A$5.95 million ($4.6 million) in a rail infrastructure project at the port’s Appleton Dock.
   Under construction is the laying of 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) of new common-user track, signaling and sidings. Separate dedicated tracks for port customers Patrick and Australian Bulk Alliance are also being built. Work is expected to be completed by June.
   “As a result of this project, trains will be able to cross the Enterprise Road level crossing entirely, eliminating the need to ‘break’ the train in two and move the locomotive up and down the tracks to move those sections,” said Peter Batchelor, minister for transport.
   The Australian government aims to increase the amount of freight moved to and from commercial ports by rail to 30 percent by 2010, Batchelor said.