The Hamilton Street bridge in Broadford, Victoria is beginning to take shape with the first two beams installed across the rail corridor.
As part of the Inland Rail project, the bridge is being replaced with a new higher structure and the rail tracks are being lowered to provide sufficient clearance for double-stacked freight trains.
The two 35.5 metre beams, each weighing 35 tonnes, were lifted into place by a 650-tonne crane and will form a shared user pathway for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility aids users.
Initially, the shared user path will be used as a one lane vehicle bridge to maintain connectivity across the rail corridor and allow for the adjacent road bridge to be demolished and rebuilt.
The beams were made at Haywards Fabrication facility in Launceston and shipped across Bass Strait before being transported to Broadford by truck, along the Hume Freeway.
With the railway line closed for 15 hours for the installation of the beams, Inland Rail and its construction partner John Holland also carried out work in Benalla, Wandong and on the Short Street and Marchbanks Road sites in Broadford.
Scott Anderson, Acting Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury Delivery Director said: “The installation of the beams at Hamilton Street is a major step forward for the Beveridge to Albury Tranche 2 project.
“It’s a tight work site in the middle of the town, so full credit to the team for the delivery and installation of the first two of seven beams for the bridge.
“We thank the community for their patience and understanding as work ramps up across eight Inland Rail sites from Wandong to Benalla.”
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