MITCHELL SHIRE residents and road users will notice a significant increase in Inland Rail works as crews advance several critical bridge and road improvements at Wandong and Broadford in coming weeks.
The works will bring temporary traffic changes across multiple sites, including short-term overnight road closures and traffic will be directed on to new bridges in a single-lane shuttle flow as work continues.
The new bridge will be craned into place at Wandong, the existing Short Street bridge will be demolished at Broadford and a new roundabout will be built at the Hamilton-Ferguson street intersection.
Inland Rail is building higher bridges and lowering tracks to provide the clearance for double-stacked freight trains to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane.
Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury Project Director Russell Hamilton said: “Inland Rail is progressing well at Broadford and Wandong and over the coming weeks the community will notice some big changes.
“Traffic will shift on to the new Short Street bridge as the old bridge is prepared for demolition. The new bridge will operate as a single-lane shuttle flow as work continues.
“The old Short Street bridge will be removed at the end of February during a two-day rail shutdown.
“Vehicle traffic using the Hamilton Street bridge will move from the shared user path currently carrying traffic onto the new road bridge in March/April, also under single-lane shuttle flow.
“Work on the new roundabout at Hamilton and Ferguson streets is under way.
“Preparatory work continues at Marchbanks Road, with bridge construction planned for later this year.
“The new Broadford-Wandong Road bridge at Wandong is being assembled onsite and will be craned into place mid-February.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we deliver the improved connectivity in Wandong and Broadford.”