Case Study: Outright Surveying Delivers Precision for $125M Port Rail Transformation Project

The Port Rail Transformation Project was a landmark infrastructure upgrade designed to shift more freight from Melbourne’s congested roads onto rail. Delivered by Seymour Whyte and completed in 2023, the $125 million project created a new on-dock rail terminal and upgraded critical freight connections within the Port of Melbourne - Australia's largest container port.

This wasn’t just a construction project. It was a shift in how freight moves in and out of the state. And behind the scenes, Outright Surveying played a key role in making sure everything was built with absolute accuracy.

The Challenge

Coordinating rail and road upgrades inside a live port environment is no small feat. Construction had to be staged around 24/7 port operations, tight land corridors, and stringent security requirements. Everything needed to be accurate, accountable, and efficient.

This was where Outright Surveying stepped in. Engaged by Seymour Whyte, the team was tasked with delivering:

  • Full field survey support across the entire construction period
  • Project survey management to keep design and construction aligned
  • Drone flights to capture real-time site conditions and monitor progress
  • 3D laser scanning to inform early-stage design and detect site complexities early

Our Role

Outright Surveying worked alongside Seymour Whyte’s engineers and project managers across the two-year build. Our support was both technical and strategic.

Feature Survey & 3D Scanning

Before a shovel hit the ground, Outright captured the existing site with high-resolution 3D scans. These models helped engineers visualise terrain, understand constraints, and confidently plan utilities, drainage, and structures within the tight port environment.

Drone Surveying & Progress Tracking

Throughout the project, drone flights were conducted to document conditions, monitor staging, and supply aerial data that supported real-time decision-making. These weren’t just photos, they were detailed maps and terrain models directly integrated into construction planning.

On-the-Ground Survey Management

Our survey team operated across all work zones, from rail alignments to drainage and roadworks. Acting as the bridge between design and construction, we ensured that field crews had reliable, up-to-date benchmarks for every stage.

Project Scope

The Port Rail Transformation Project included:

  • A new on-dock rail terminal at Swanson Dock East
  • Upgraded rail sidings to accommodate 600-metre freight trains
  • Creation of Intermodal Way, a new east-west road replacing part of Coode Road
  • Installation of new signalling, drainage, and port access infrastructure

Delivered under a design-and-construct model, the project was part of a broader strategy to reduce truck traffic in the inner west, improve logistics efficiency, and boost the share of freight moved by rail.

Results Delivered

By combining aerial mapping, 3D scanning, and traditional field surveys, Outright provided reliable, real-time data that kept construction moving with confidence.

We helped:

  • Reduce rework and improve design clarity
  • Maintain safe and accurate construction staging
  • Minimise disruption in one of Victoria’s busiest logistics hubs
  • Deliver a clear line of sight for planners, engineers, and crews at every step

From early design to final slab pours, Outright Surveying helped make one of Melbourne’s most ambitious freight infrastructure upgrades possible.



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