New designs unveiled for Junee’s Kemp Street bridge as D-day nears

FOLLOWING years of extensive environmental assessment and community consultation, the long-awaited proposed designs for Junee’s new Kemp Street bridge have just been unveiled, giving locals their clearest sense yet of the transformation to come.

A new fly-through animation and detailed renders were released on Wednesday, revealing a taller, wider overpass to replace the current 80-year-old structure, which has connected the town’s east and west since the end of World War II.

Developed in close collaboration with the NSW Government and Junee Shire Council, the modern bridge will span the rail yard on concrete piers, with a straight alignment and gentle gradients to achieve the clearance needed for 6.5-metre-high double-stacked freight trains.

PEDESTRIAN & VEHICLE ACCESS

A dedicated pedestrian and cyclist pathway, fully compliant with the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), will run along the northern side of the bridge overlooking the Junee Yard, separated from traffic by a safety barrier.

The pathway will link to looping ramps at either end, including a sweeping landscaped ramp connecting with the new intersection of Kemp and Seignior Streets.

Inland Rail says the winding design is inspired by the Bethungra Spiral, and will connect with a new pathway underneath the bridge, providing pedestrian access to Railway Parade.

Photo: Supplied/Inland Rail

On the east side, the pedestrian ramp will connect with a footpath near the Junee Skate Park at the corner of Edgar and Hill Streets, removing access from Ducker Street.

Inland Rail says this will help to maintain safe pedestrian and vehicle flows.

Photo: Supplied/Inland Rail

Photo: Supplied/Inland Rail

Safety features visible in the renders include continuous anti-throw screens along both sides and protective guardrails on vehicle lanes.

Both intersections at either end of the bridge will also be widened for improved traffic flow, each with clearly marked turning lanes.

Landscaped embankments will frame the approaches, with heritage elements from the original bridge — including the iconic red brick abutments — to be incorporated into the landscaping where possible, retaining a visual link to the town’s history.

MAJOR ROAD CHANGES

Significant changes are also planned for the bridge’s western approach, with the low-lying roads of Railway Parade and Railway Lane to be permanently closed to Kemp Street as the roadway is raised for the taller bridge.

Junee Shire Council endorsed the closure in May, acknowledging it will put pressure on Harold Street during peak periods, but saying it is the safest and most cost-effective solution.

The proposed bridge will provide the structural capacity for Heavy Mass Loading (HML) and has been reviewed by the NSW State Design Review Panel to ensure it meets strict safety, environmental, urban design and technical standards.

Photo: Supplied/Inland Rail

Photo: Supplied/Inland Rail

‘BEST OUTCOME’ FOR JUNEE: MAYOR

Commenting on The Junee Bulletin’s article on Wednesday, Junee mayor Bob Callow said the design was the best outcome for the town.

“There has been a lot of work go into this project, with Junee Council seeking many adjustments to suit the Junee people — the pedestrian underpass and ramps being just a few,” Mayor Callow said.

“There has to be careful consideration between Inland Rail, Transport for NSW and Junee Shire Council to come to a design that not only suits the Junee community, but lasts well into the future.

“It may not be perfect in everyone’s eyes, however, with so many stakeholders involved, I believe we have the best outcome. There will be some inconvenience during construction, I just hope everyone will see the long term benefits over the short term inconveniences.”

DEMOLITION & CLOSURE

Speaking with The Junee Bulletin earlier this year, Inland Rail said the existing Kemp Street bridge was scheduled for demolition in September.

“Current planning timelines will see the current bridge demolished during the September possession, a 60-hour period where all train services are suspended on the Melbourne–Sydney line,” a spokesperson for the project said in April.

However, when asked by The Junee Bulletin on Wednesday whether the project was still on track, Inland Rail said the timeline was still being worked through.

“We are currently working to identify the specific date of closure. We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we progress these important works,” an Inland Rail representative told the Bulletin.

Once demolition begins, Kemp Street bridge will be closed for up to 18 months.

Initial plans aimed for completion in 2024 with Inland Rail trains passing through Junee by 2025, but lengthy assessments and consultations have pushed delivery of Inland Rail south of Parkes to at least 2027.

Junee’s existing Kemp Street overbridge was officially opened on 8 March 1945 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

‘VITAL STEP’ IN INLAND RAIL

Inland Rail Project Director for the Albury to Illabo section, Malcolm Clark, said Junee’s new bridge would deliver lasting benefits.

“The Kemp Street bridge replacement is a vital step in delivering Inland Rail between Beveridge and Parkes by the end of 2027,” Mr Clark said.

“The new bridge will bring lasting benefits to the Junee community, including safer pedestrian access, improved accessibility, and enhanced safety and usability.”

TRAFFIC PLAN

A detailed traffic management plan is being developed with emergency services, schools, Transport for NSW, and public transport providers to minimise disruption — particularly for schoolchildren and regular pedestrians.

“We acknowledge there will also be impacts to pedestrian users during construction, and we are looking at mitigation measures to help reduce those impacts to the Junee community,” Inland Rail told the Bulletin in April.

“Once the traffic management plan has been finalised, we will inform the community so that all road users are aware of the approved traffic changes ahead of time.”

EARLY WORKS

The 185-kilometre Albury to Illabo section entered detailed design, early works, and construction in late 2024 after final planning approvals.

Contractor Martinus Rail has been carrying out track works, drainage upgrades, and resurfacing between Junee and Illabo, along with site investigations around Kemp Street to finalise the design.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

Residents can view the proposed Kemp Street bridge designs in person and speak with project representatives at these upcoming pop-up sessions:

• Wednesday, 20 August: 9am–12pm at Junee Railway Station Café, Railway Square
• Thursday, 21 August: 2pm–5.30pm at Junee IGA, 102 Broadway
• Friday, 22 August: 10am–1pm at Junee Library, 92 Lorne Street

Junee’s 80-year-old Kemp Street overbridge will be demolished to make way for the new modern structure | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

SPANNING GENERATIONS

After more than half a century of debate and delayed proposals, Junee’s Kemp Street overbridge officially opened on 8 March 1945.

It was the result of decades of lobbying, replacing dangerous level crossings and connecting the town’s eastern and western halves.

Its construction required the resumption of several businesses and homes, and it became a defining piece of infrastructure. Now, after eight decades, it stands on the cusp of another transformation — this time to meet the demands of a 21st-century freight network.

You can read more about the bridge’s colourful history, here.