The bridge near a dangerous intersection in Broadford set to be raised has caught the attention of concerned residents, who are urging responsible authorities to revise their safety plans.
Forming the Group of Concerned Citizens of Broadford (CCOB), the residents are calling on Mitchell Shire Council, VicRoads, Inland Rail, and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to collaborate and improve the safety of Broadford’s Hamilton and High Street intersection, following Inland Rail’s plans to raise the Hamilton Street bridge an additional 1.2 metres for double stacked train clearance.
Spearheading public discussions on the safety concerns, resident and CCOB member Brian O’Dwyer stated that the proposed height would only add to the danger and increase the risk of serious, and potentially fatal, incidents.
“The impact of this proposed height of the Hamilton Street railway bridge is going to make this already busy intersection a dangerous intersection. The CCOB group has made these issues very clear to Mitchell Shire Council and to Inland Rail and the ARTC,” he said.
Acknowledging the dangerous nature of the intersection following discussions with CCOB, Council then met with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) who conducted a road safety audit before signing off on the design requirements – but not before including notes for a future signalised intersection.
Mitchell Shire Council Chief Executive Brett Luxford stated Council were working with the DTP closely.
“Council is working closely with the community, Department of Transport and Planning, and Inland Rail on the design of the new Hamilton Street bridge,” he said.
“We have advocated for enhanced safety measures, including safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists, good access over the bridge, reduced traffic speeds, and improved intersections at Ferguson Street and the High Street service lanes.
“The reference design proposed by Inland Rail meets all necessary design standards. It includes safe routes for pedestrians, off-road shared paths, and intersection safety improvements like closing the High Street service lane and adding controls at Ferguson Street.
“We understand that detailed design work is currently underway. Council is eager to review this design and will ensure that the community has the opportunity to participate in further consultation on these details. We value the community’s input and are committed to incorporating their feedback to enhance the project’s safety and accessibility for everyone.
“Any safety concerns identified will be addressed to meet the highest standards for our community.”

Though Inland Rail acknowledged that the proposed height was substantial, Inland Rail Delivery Director B2A Ed Walker stated that it remained within minimum standards and had already been lowered from the initially proposed 1.6 metre raise.
“Through design progression and community feedback, the design has changed significantly. The initial concept plan proposed a bridge replacement 1.5 metres to 1.6 metres higher than the existing bridge, with no track lowering works,” he said.
“Earlier this year, we shared the latest design with the Broadford community which proposed a combination of raising the bridge by 1.2 metres and lowering the tracks by 0.6 metres under the bridge, to reduce the overall height of the new bridge.”
Acknowledging the CCOB’s requests for further lowering of the track, Mr Walker stated it was not possible due to several factors.
“We understand the community would like to see the tracks lowered further, but there are several constraints at the site making this difficult, including the existing ground condition, track drainage, track gradient, requirement for retaining walls and additional piling, station infrastructure, available track possessions, and width constraints,” he said.
Speaking to concerned residents, Mr Walker noted that the safety of the design was crucial to Inland Rail.
“Safety is one of Inland Rail’s key design principles and the designs go through a rigorous review period with the relevant agencies,” he said.
“The design will improve the safety of the intersection, with changes to the service lanes on High Street and Ferguson Street North (Dairy Lane) reducing the amount of conflict points at the intersection and improving sight-line distances.
“Further safety improvements include a wider bridge structure providing wide lanes, and the addition of the new roundabout at the Hamilton and Ferguson Street intersection that will slow traffic on the bridge and on approach to the intersection.
“Pedestrian safety and connectivity are also improved at the site, with a new shared user path on the south side (minimum 3m wide) and a new pedestrian path on the north side (1.8 metres wide) providing for all accessibility requirements.”
However, Mr O’Dwyer emphasised that the additional installation of traffic lights at the intersection, which has already seen several collisions, was vital.
“The increased steep grade of eight per cent from the top of the proposed new Hamilton Street railway bridge down into the intersection is what is increasing the danger. A roundabout and traffic lights have been discussed,” he said.
“When the final designs are delivered to the community in late 2024 … it will be too late to protest about the legacy of the bridge being too high and this increased height making the Hamilton and High Street intersection too dangerous.
“Although the various authorities have signed off on the design to raise the Hamilton Street bridge 1.2 metres as it meets minimum standards, the community knows it doesn’t meet the ‘Pub test’, and the community is left with a dangerous legacy at the Hamilton and High Street intersection.
“The Hamilton and High Street intersection has been mentioned for improvement at least three times in the Broadford Structure Plan [but] it has not been included in any Mitchell Shire budget before 2028.
“There are various other issues with this project that need to be discussed in the near future, but the increased bridge height and the intersection are the most important.”