Yarra River traffic lights
A set of lanes and traffic lights are directing boat traffic through a section of the Yarra River under the West Gate Bridge due to the Channel Deepening ProjectThe Port of Melbourne Corporation (PMC) introduced the changes to the Yarra River traffic management on July 28 to maintain a safe passageway for recreational and commercial boats traversing a 100m section under the Bridge.
The works are a 24/7 operation and the new river traffic management changes will be in place until about the end of May 2009.
Recreational vessels using the Yarra River are required to observe the specially installed traffic signals which indicate a three-lane system on approach to either side of the West Gate Bridge. Caution signs ahead of the signals warn of their approach and the signals advise when recreational vessels can transit and in what lanes.
Lane closures and shipping movements will be regulated by PMC's Shipping Management Centre.
"People can expect to see dredge equipment working in the Yarra River supported by barges, tugs and survey vessels," said PMC CEO, Stephen Bradford.
"In the interest of safety we remind all river users navigating near any of these operations to proceed with caution and to reduce speed," he said.
For commercial shipping, the river remains open under specific management procedures: It will be open 16 hours per day seven days a week between 1400 and 0600 hours. Commercial traffic will be required to navigate selected lanes pending the location of dredging plant and vessels (the maximum beam of vessels able to transit during this period is 32.3 metres); and, the river will be closed to all commercial navigation (but not recreational vessels) for eight hours per day seven days a week between 0600 and 1400 hours.
All river users should note the busiest times will be just prior to the river closure time of 0600 and just after reopening at 1400, and are advised to plan accordingly. All vessels with beam of 11 metres or less can transit under specific management procedures, i.e. such as when the traffic signals are operating.
The complete management procedures can be viewed in Notice to Mariners 070(T)-08 on the Channel Deepening Project website www.channelproject.com
For further information, phone 1800 731 022.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
