24 concrete U-trough beams are being transported on a 146km journey south from Kilmore, where they were constructed, to Frankston to form a new twin rail bridge following removal of the Skye/Overton Road level crossing.
The first beam movement was successfully moved on Sunday 22 April. The others are being transported during April and May. Mobile traffic management is in place along the entire route while the U-trough is being transported.
The 24 U-troughs will be joined together as a twin 400-metre-long rail bridges, a key part in removal of the crossing.
Weighing 280 tonnes and measuring 31m in length, special trucks and trailer over 72m long are transporting the 24 U-troughs. Due to their size and weight, each U-trough transporter travels at about 20km/hr.
Leaving Kilmore early evening to avoid congestion, each beam is planned to arrive at Skye/Overton Road, Frankston the following morning. A stopover point may be used on a contingency basis for operational reasons or if the delivery is delayed to prevent it running into the morning peak period. In these situations, you can visit the VicTraffic website for real time updates.
Working closely with VicRoads and other key transport stakeholders, the Level Crossing Removal Project has identified a route capable of handling the load. This route includes the Hume Freeway, Metropolitan Ring Road, Greensborough Highway, Eastern Freeway, Eastlink and Peninsula Freeway.
The route has been planned as the safest, most efficient and least disruptive way to transport the 31m long beams.
Upon arrival on-site at Skye/Overton Road, some of the first U-troughs will be lifted into place at night, allowing trains to continue to run. The remaining U-troughs will be lifted into position while buses replace trains between sections of the Frankston and Stony Point lines.
Safety measures and rail infrastructure will then be installed on the new bridge, separating the train line from Skye/Overton Road.