Trains halted as Kemp Street bridge demolition begins

THE demolition of Junee’s Kemp Street bridge has begun, with the near-century-old structure set to be pulled down this weekend.

More than 200 workers and a fleet of heavy equipment have been mobilised at the Kemp Street site, transforming the area into a major demolition zone.

Inland Rail took possession of the rail corridor at 6am Saturday, September 13, allowing major demolition works to begin.

Kemp Street bridge — Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Final preparations were undertaken overnight Friday, with the sound of heavy machinery breaking through concrete echoing across Junee as teams worked around the clock to strip the remaining span of the bridge.

This weekend, the entire structure will be removed, with the deck to be cut up and lifted out in sections.

“The concrete between the spans will be removed, followed by cutting the steel structure, allowing the deck to be craned out in four sections,” an Inland Rail spokesperson told the Junee Bulletin.

Each section will be lowered to the ground, broken into smaller pieces, and transported to authorised waste facilities.

Kemp Street bridge — Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Inland Rail has confirmed it will be recording a timelapse of the demolition.

With large crowds expected to gather to witness the historic removal, residents are being urged to keep a safe distance.

READ MORE: The history of Kemp Street bridge

“These works are carefully planned, with safety our highest priority. We ask that anyone interested in viewing keeps a safe distance and follows traffic controller directions.”

Kemp Street bridge — Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Kemp Street bridge — Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Crews began tearing up a section of the bridge above Edgar Street on Thursday, allowing sunlight to pierce through the deck and onto the closed road below for the first time in 80 years.

Friday night’s work marked the first of three rounds of night works scheduled across the weekend, with crews authorised to work around the clock until the bridge is fully dismantled and all debris is removed from the rail corridor.

The main southern rail line between Sydney and Melbourne will remain closed for 60 hours to enable crews to carry out the works safely.

According to Inland Rail, all major works are expected to be complete by 7am Monday — with trains scheduled to resume later that evening.

It will mark the first time in more than 80 years that trains have travelled through Junee without passing beneath the Kemp Street bridge.

“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,” said Treaven Martinus, CEO and founder of Martinus Rail.

“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.”

Kemp Street bridge — Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

While Inland Rail acknowledges some activities will be “noisy and unavoidable,” it says measures have been taken to minimise disruption wherever possible.

Crews have been instructed to turn off machinery when not in use, water carts are being used to suppress dust, and traffic control will remain in place where needed.

The site will operate under Inland Rail’s approved Conditions of Approval, with compliance closely monitored.

Once the demolition is complete and the rail line reopens, work will be restricted to between 7am-6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-6pm Saturday. No work will be carried out on Sunday’s or public holidays.

Meanwhile, significant track works will also be carried out this weekend along a four-kilometre stretch of rail corridor between Junee and Illabo.

CLOSURE TIMELINE

Kemp Street is expected to remain closed for approximately 18 months while a taller, modern overpass is built — one capable of allowing double-stacked freight trains to pass beneath.

The existing bridge was closed early at 6pm on Friday, September 5, to allow for site establishment and preparation, including the removal of four heritage lamps on Tuesday, September 9.

READ MORE: Lamps saved from Kemp Street bridge

Kemp Street bridge — Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Kemp Street bridge — Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The lamps, installed in 1945, were among the first features removed.

While they won’t be used to light the new structure, Inland Rail hopes to incorporate them into the surrounding landscaping if their condition allows.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Inland Rail website for information on alternative transport and service updates during the closure.