After years of designing, deliberation and discussion, Junee’s historic Kemp Street bridge finally closed on September 5 to begin Inland Rail’s 18-month-long works that will see the improvement and reconstruction of the crossing.
The next stop for the project is demolition. This has been a step in the process that Council and Inland Rail have long awaited, with a lengthy design and preparation period that saw much collaboration with both parties as they pursued a safer, more ideal crossing.
Inland Rail has advised the community of the following closures:
Kemp Street bridge (between Seignior and Ducker Streets)
Edgar Street (between George and Hill Streets)
The following roads will be for local access only:
Railway Lane
George Street (between Ducker and Edgar Streets)
Edgar Street (between William and George Streets)
Inland Rail and Council started the project to deal with the double-stacked trains that will be coming through as part of the Inland Rail project, but also as an opportunity to improve the safety of the crossing.
Malcolm Clark, Inland Rail Project Director for Albury to Illabo, said, “The Kemp Street bridge replacement is a vital step in delivering Inland Rail between Beveridge and Parkes by the end of 2027.
“The new bridge will bring lasting benefits to the Junee community, including safer pedestrian access, improved accessibility, and enhanced safety and useability.
“We’ve worked closely with Transport for NSW and Junee Shire Council to ensure the design meets all safety, environmental and technical standards.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we progress these important works.”
A 60-hour track possession will close the Australian Rail Track Corporation main railway line from Sydney to Melbourne from 6:00 am on Saturday, 13 September to 6:00 pm Monday, 15 September.
The track closure will allow rail infrastructure contractor Martinus Rail to carry out works on several sites across the Albury to Illabo section, to prepare the line for future double-stacked freight trains.
The Kemp Street bridge will be demolished to allow for the construction of a new, elevated road bridge. Demolition works will include the removal of sections of the bridge over the rail corridor. This involves cutting through the asphalt and deck structures and lifting the beams off with a crane. Heritage elements from the bridge, including the iconic red bricks and lamp-posts, will be thoughtfully incorporated into the new landscaping design where possible.
Road closures in Junee are now in place while the bridge is closed for approximately 18 months. For community transport options, visit the Inland Rail website.
The works being conducted by InlandRail will deliver long-term benefits to the Junee community, including reducing wait times at the Olympic Highway level crossing, solving an issue that has caused significant frustration to local road users.
Other works during the possession include track works, signalling works and geotechnical testing, to be carried out at sites spanning from Albury to Illabo.
For more information on the works, visit the Albury to Illabo works notification page.
James Kennedy, Inland Rail Delivery Director, Albury to Parkes, said, “The upcoming 60-hour track possession marks a major opportunity to advance work on Inland Rail in southern New South Wales.
“This planned window allows us to safely deliver a significant portion of the project’s scope, including the demolition of the Kemp Street bridge in Junee, as we continue progressing towards delivering Inland Rail south of Parkes by 2027.
“We’re grateful for the support and patience of the communities where we’re working. We especially acknowledge residents, business owners, and road users for their cooperation during this important phase of construction.”
Treaven Martinus, Martinus Rail CEO and founder, said, “A 60-hour possession sounds like a lot of time until you’re removing a bridge, running multiple work fronts, and handing the corridor back ready for trains. Every movement, every machine, every team has been planned down to the hour so we can get in, do the job safely, and get out on time.
“The Kemp Street Bridge has been part of Junee for decades. Our engineering team has done a great job designing a new bridge that meets modern standards while keeping the character of the old one alive for the community.
“Bridge works, track upgrades, geotechnical investigations, and environmental testing all in one possession. Delivering that much work in 60 hours takes rail experts who understand rail projects. The sequencing, the safety, the timing, it only comes together when you’ve got the right teams who know how to deliver under pressure.”
– Jack Murray
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