Innovative protective fencing supplied by a Ballan-based company is allowing workers on the Ballarat Line Upgrade to operate just metres from full speed V/Line trains.
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Premier Fencing is among the local businesses who are contributing to the $518 million suite of works along the Ballarat line, which are due to be completed by the end of 2019.
The small business installs fencing about 1.6 metres from the edge of the track, meaning trains do not have to be stopped for construction to continue.
The operation has been able to roll out about a kilometre of fencing a day through the use of innovative sleeves which are rammed into the earth before the poles, meaning no concerting is required.
Premier Fencing manager Luke Mullane said the fencing provided just enough room for trains to continue to run at 160 km/h while construction was underway.
“The benefit is that it’s time saving,” Mr Mullane said. “If you're concreting posts into the ground it usually takes a whole day for those to set.”
So far more than 15 kilometres of the 1.8-metre high fencing has been installed along the rail corridor between Melton and Caroline Springs as crews work on duplicating the track.
Regional Rail Revival director Mark Havryluk said “the installation of safety fencing as part of the Ballarat Line Upgrade means much of the construction can be completed while trains are running and this will significantly reduce the number of times the line will require closing”.
“Thanks to the safety fencing and innovative construction technology, trains can continue travelling at up to 160 km/h while the construction near the rail line is underway, so passenger journey times won’t be affected while we get the job done,” Mr Havryluk said.
“We’ve installed blue indication lights on our excavators to assure train drivers that machinery is fitted with movement restrictors, which means that they will not enter the train's path. This allows train drivers to clearly identify construction machinery.”
The Ballan business has used the fencing across the state with the Level Crossing Removal Authority and is also involved in the roll-out of road wire rope barriers.
