Major Inland Rail works planned across Junee during weekend shutdown

CONSTRUCTION crews will work around the clock at several sites across Junee this weekend, with major track upgrades and further works on the new Kemp Street bridge scheduled during another extended Inland Rail shutdown.

The rail possession will begin at 6am on Saturday, November 7, and continue until 7am on Monday, November 9, allowing crews to undertake extensive construction activities while trains are not operating.

Activity will be concentrated around the Junee Yard, Olympic Highway underbridge, Kemp Street bridge, and along the rail corridor between Junee and Illabo.

Work at the Kemp Street bridge site will be continuous from 7am Saturday until 10pm Sunday and involve concrete pours, reinforcement works to the bridge’s spans and piers, retaining wall construction, and further drainage and earthworks.

The remaining concrete girders forming the deck of the new overpass were lifted into position during the previous 96-hour shutdown in September, closing the gap above the rail corridor.

In early October, the final sections of new pedestrian footbridge at Kemp Street were also lifted into place on the eastern side of the rail corridor, linking the two sections erected behind the Junee Skate Park in August with the main road bridge and bringing the structure closer to completion.

Works within the Junee Yard and around the Olympic Highway underbridge will involve mainly trackwork, including tamping, alongside signalling upgrades, level crossing works, excavation, drainage and further geotechnical investigations.

Construction crews will also undertake continuous works along the railway corridor between Junee and Illabo, with level crossings on Brabins Road at Illabo and Waterworks Road at Marinna to be closed throughout the weekend.

Activities will include track tamping, signalling upgrades, drainage and culvert construction, geotechnical investigations and vegetation maintenance.

Construction materials, including ballast and capping, will also be transported between stockpiles near Waterworks Road and Wornes Gate Lane and project compounds.

Residents living near the railway have been advised to expect noise from excavation, heavy machinery, loading and unloading activities, and construction vehicles operating throughout the shutdown.

Major works also planned in Wagga

The weekend shutdown will also allow construction crews to undertake substantial works across Wagga and surrounding areas.

At Edmondson Street bridge, crews will work continuously from 7am Saturday until 6am Monday, installing temporary walkways, bridge deck sheeting and precast concrete sections, while adjusting scaffolding for the next stages of construction.

At Mothers Bridge, work will continue on the replacement pedestrian footbridge, alongside preparations for the demolition of the existing structure.

Further works are scheduled at Cassidy Street footbridge, where crews will undertake steel reinforcement, formwork and concrete pours.

Track-lowering works will continue beneath Pearson Street bridge, while Bomen Yard will undergo track shoulder reconstruction, signalling alterations and the removal of a redundant level crossing.

At Harefield Yard, crews will carry out track, platform and signalling works, including tamping, rail destressing and platform removal.

Most of these works are scheduled between 7am and 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Kemp Street works to continue into December

Separate from the weekend shutdown, Inland Rail has confirmed additional evening construction activities will continue at the Kemp Street bridge site throughout November and December.

The out-of-hours program is scheduled on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays, generally between 6pm and 10pm, with the final listed session on Tuesday, December 22.

Works will include the construction and finishing of bridge abutments, piers, headstocks and deflection walls, along with reinforcement, formwork, concrete pours and associated finishing activities.

Crews will also undertake scaffolding installation, precast bridge section deliveries and installation, crane lifting operations, retaining wall construction and bridge approach works.

While most activities are expected to finish by 8pm, some may continue until 10pm where required to safely complete the work.

The former Kemp Street bridge was demolished in September 2025, with the replacement overpass now expected to be completed in September 2027, six months longer than the 18-month timeframe originally given to the community.

The November shutdown forms part of Inland Rail’s ongoing upgrade of the existing Albury to Illabo railway corridor to accommodate larger, double-stacked freight trains

Inland Rail says scheduled activities may be postponed or rescheduled at short notice due to weather or other operational requirements.

Residents seeking further information or wishing to raise concerns can contact Inland Rail on 1800 732 761 or email inlandrailnsw@inlandrail.com.au.