CONTAINER Transport Alliance Australia is calling for safer heavy-vehicle detour routes during the next construction phases of Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel Project.

The project, scheduled for completion in 2025, aims to take trucks off residential roads and give them better access to the Port of Melbourne.

But while the West Gate Tunnel is under construction, trucks are being sent on detours that, according to CTAA, are time-consuming, less productive and potentially dangerous.

Temporary night closures of the vital Wurundjeri Way road through Docklands commenced on 31 March are to continue until late April, changing the way trucks access the port.

CTAA director Neil Chambers said the heavy-vehicle detour pushed higher productivity freight vehicles through a narrow route between the port’s Swanson Dock precinct, around to Webb Dock along Harbour Esplanade and Bourke Street in Docklands.

He highlighted safety concerns as the vehicles are mixing with pedestrian, bicycle and light vehicle traffic.

Although the change is short-term, Mr Chambers said the same detour route could come back into effect later in the year and for a longer period of time.

He said the organisation has been working with the state government, agencies and industry representatives to try to minimise disruptions to heavy vehicle operations.

CTAA is calling on the Victorian government and toll-road operator Transurban to agree to safer detours as the West Gate Tunnel Project continues.

“To date, the heavy vehicle access disruptions to and from the Port of Melbourne have had a negative impact on landside container logistics efficiency and productivity, but they have been manageable because they have been temporary,” Mr Chambers said.

“However, container transport operators have significant concerns about longer-term road closures earmarked in the forward WGTP construction timetable and their associated heavy vehicle detours.

“The most significant of these is the complete closure of Wurundjeri Way in Docklands in the third quarter of this year for an extended period.”

Mr Chambers said Wurundjeri Way is the major permitted route for 30-metre-long high productivity freight vehicles (HPFV) carrying up to four TEU and operating at gross vehicle mass (GVM) weights of more than 68.5 tonnes (up to 109 tonnes GVM).

“There are dozens of HPFV movements day and night accessing Webb Dock from the Swanson Dock precinct of the port, and from the west,” he said.

He said the vehicles cannot use the West Gate Bridge above 68.5 tonnes GVM due to bridge weight restrictions.

“Container transport operators have a major concern that … the detour route through Docklands is wholly unsuited for the extended period of the closure of Wurundjeri Way later this year,” Mr Chambers said.

“The route throws HPFVs into a potentially dangerous mix of narrow carriageways adjacent to a tram route, elevated tram stops, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian interaction in a residential and major sporting arena location.

“Longer heavy vehicles are having to make tight left-hand and right-hand turns at the signalled intersection at the corner of Harbour Esplanade and Bourke Street while pedestrians and bicycles are crossing.”

CTAA has suggested the heavy vehicle detour route be via Footscray Road, the Bolte Bridge and Todd Road to access Webb Dock when Wurundjeri Way is closed for an extended period later in the year.

“CTAA understands that Transurban and the WGTP are considering this option, in conjunction with the Victorian Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and VicRoads,” Mr Chambers said.

“However, we’d urge that this route and bridge analysis be fast-tracked and approved to protect the safety, efficiency and productivity of vital port-related freight movements associated with the Port of Melbourne.

“In the longer term, the container transport sector would prefer access for heavier permitted loads between the West Gate Tunnel, the Swanson Dock precinct of the Port, and Webb Dock to be via the Bolte Bridge.

“Access across the Bolte Bridge would maintain segregation between these vital port-related freight movements and the commercial, sporting and residential areas in Docklands and Fishermans Bend.”

CTAA has outlined its suggestions in a letter to Victorian minister for transport and infrastructure Jacinta Allan and minister for ports and freight Melissa Horne.