A construction site in Diggers Rest has been cutting carbon emissions by using volcanic rock and other materials that use a limited amount of energy.
The Level Crossing Removal Project team has sourced more than 10,000 cubic metres of volcanic rock from a local quarry to use as backfill for the new road bridge over the rail line, permanently separating vehicles and trains and improving safety and easing congestion.
Throughout the morning peak, there are 36 minutes of boom gate down time across rail crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road interrupting the 8000 cars which cross them.
Transporting the mix of soil and crushed rock from a quarry located just seven kilometres from the site has cut the distance trucks have travelled and saved about 616 tonnes of carbon emissions
The project team said the volcanic rock saved 616 tonnes of carbon emissions, while the glass fibre straps and reinforced polymer bars used require five times less energy to produce than steel alternatives. They are also two times stronger and 75 per cent lighter according to the Level Crossing Authority. These bars are used to support the bridges retaining walls made of 450 concrete panels.
The construction began in August with foundation holes being set 10 metres into the ground.
Crews are also working to remove the nearby level crossing at Watson’s Road, Diggers Rest.
Both road bridges at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road will both open in 2025 as part of a movement to make the Sunbury Line level crossing free.
Kaija Du
