‘Wave of nostalgia’ grips Junee as bridge closes after 80 years

AS dusk settled over Junee last night, a wave of nostalgia gripped the town as the Kemp Street bridge closed to traffic for the final time after eight decades.

The closure took place at exactly 6pm on Friday to much community fanfare, with dozens of locals gathering to witness the barriers drawn across the road.

In the final hours leading up to the shutdown, more vehicles and pedestrians than ever were seen crossing the bridge, eager to take in the milestone moment.

Junee’s Kemp Street bridge closed to traffic at 6pm on Friday, 5 September, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

From sunrise to sunset, a steady stream of foot traffic and cars passed over the 80-year-old structure — some drivers lining up on Kemp Street in the final 30 minutes, determined to be among the last to pass over the bridge.

And fittingly, it was a restored 1934 Ford Sedan Delivery — driven by Junee’s Leanne Boardman — that made the final trip across: a vintage nod to the bridge’s World War II-era origins.

Speaking to the Junee Bulletin, Leanne said it’s a moment she will cherish.

“I was hoping to be the last,” she said. “Traffic control obviously realised, as I was pulled over waiting until 5.59pm, and made sure I was.”

“I was hoping that someone was filming. It brought a tear to my eye. Something to cherish.”

Junee’s Leanne Boardman was the last to drive over the bridge in her purple restored 1934 Ford Sedan Delivery | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Junee’s Leanne Boardman was the last to drive over the bridge in her purple restored 1934 Ford Sedan Delivery | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Meanwhie, Junee woman Robyn Makeham was among the last pedestrians to cross, while local train driver Daryle Doherty also claimed a unique milestone.

“Nothing to brag about, but I drove the last train to go under the bridge before it closed, and the first train under it after it closed! At least a Junee local had that honour,” he said.

Junee’s Robyn Makeham was one of the last pedestrians to cross the bridge | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Inland Rail workers were struck by the excitement and interest the closure sparked within the community.

“It’s like we’re launching Apollo 11,” one worker joked.

“We’re only closing the road,” laughed another. “They must think we’re going to blow it up.”

Inland Rail workers were amazed at the interest the closure sparked in the community | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

DEMOLITION DAYS AWAY

The bridge — one of just three rail crossings linking east and west Junee — is now closed for up to 18 months, while a new, taller overpass is built to accommodate double-stacked container trains as part of the Inland Rail project.

SEE THE DESIGNS HERE

Activity on site will ramp up in the coming days, with demolition set to begin next Friday evening, September 12.

Among the first features to be removed will be the four original bridge lamps, which have lit the crossing since it opened in 1945. Each will be carefully lifted and stored in individual custom-made containers.

On Saturday, September 13, the main bridge deck and steel components will be dismantled, cut up, and removed piece by piece in a major operation involving cranes, excavators, graders, saws, and dump trucks.

Water carts will be used to suppress dust, and works will continue day and night until the structure is fully removed from the rail corridor ahead of train services resuming Monday, September 15.

LAMPS + BRICKS TO BE SAVED

Inland Rail has confirmed that heritage elements of the bridge will be preserved and thoughtfully reused wherever possible.

The iconic red bricks forming the bridge’s abutments will be repurposed into the landscaping of the new overpass, while the original lamp posts may also be reused.

Several community groups have already expressed interest in preserving the lamps, and Inland Rail says any not reused will be donated back to the community through local organisations.

Photos: © The Junee Bulletin

TRAFFIC PRESSURE THROUGH TOWN

While the bridge closure marks the end of a structural era, the real test will be how Junee copes without it.

With the southernmost of the town’s three rail crossings now shut, traffic is expected to surge through the centre of town — particularly across the Olympic Highway level crossing in the CBD.

Modelling suggests up to 2,000 additional vehicles per day could be rerouted through this corridor during peak periods, adding to the existing traffic load of more than 4,000 daily crossings.

Digital messaging boards have been deployed across town to direct drivers and reduce confusion, and the train driver changeover point will be shifted to help reduce boom gate closure durations, which have previously stretched beyond 20 minutes.

• READ MORE: Junee prepares for traffic surge

A key stretch of Seignior Street has also been transformed, with new lane markings now in place to help manage the flow of traffic around the level crossing.

An extra southbound lane has been created between the Broadway roundabout and Gaba Tepe Avenue, allowing for the extension of the right-turn lane at the busy intersection.

The move will enable more vehicles to queue when the boom gates are activated, without blocking through traffic on the roundabout.

Despite these efforts, however, traffic delays — especially during boom gate activations — are expected to be a daily reality for the next 18 months, as the town adjusts to life without one of its key east-west connectors.

TRANSPORT OPTIONS DURING CLOSURE

With the closure of the bridge also removing a key pedestrian route, Inland Rail has rolled out a suite of community transport initiatives to support residents.

A free public shuttle service is now running daily between east and west Junee using a hail-and-ride system, stopping at marked points every 30 minutes during peak times, and hourly during quieter periods. Route maps are now available online and signage has been installed throughout town.

A dedicated student shuttle will also operate during school start and finish times, alongside rerouted school buses using the Olympic Highway. Students will also be able to use the public shuttle service on weekends, with passes distributed via local schools.

For residents with additional transport needs — including the elderly, those with mobility challenges, or those travelling outside shuttle hours — flexible taxi vouchers are available through Junee Community Transport.

These will be prioritised for transport-dependent residents and reviewed regularly to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

For full details on the transport services available during the closure, including maps and timetables, click here.