The Inland Rail Project has commenced major construction works in Victoria.
Connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Inland Rail is Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project.
Inland Rail follows along the existing North East Rail Line that was upgraded in 2021.
Broadford locals visited the Inland Rail stall at the Broadford Australia Day Festival, to hear the impacts of the project on the community.
ARTC staff talked through the confirmed bridge replacements for the Short St, Hamilton St and Marchbanks Rd sites, three of the 12 infrastructure sites to be upgraded in Victoria.
The community interests were maintaining access to the local bridges during construction, improving pedestrian access, reducing truck movements and the timelines for the release of bridge designs and construction commencement.
Emergency services members also attending the festival were assured emergency service access would continue throughout the project.
ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects general manager Ed Walker said the festival was a great way to talk to the local community about the project.
“We have moved into the reference design phase of the Broadford projects, which is an opportunity for community input to refine the look and feel of the design and explore interface options with the surrounding area such as pedestrian access,” Mr Walker said.
“The reference design will be available to share with community members in the first half of 2023 and are looking forward to hearing feedback before finalising designs and beginning construction in 2024.”
To enable double stacked trains existing infrastructure will also be upgraded at the Hume Highway bridge, Tallarook, Seymour-Avenel Road bridge, Seymour and Hume Highway bridge, Seymour.
As at December 2022, 58 contracts at a value of $269.1 million had been committed to Victorian businesses for services and supplies on the Victorian section of the project.
To ask questions or share your thoughts on the project, call 1800 732 761 or email victoriaprojects@artc.com.au