Inland Rail has released the design for the new Seymour-Avenel Road bridge in regional Victoria, and construction on the new bridge is due to commence soon.
A new bridge is necessary as the existing overpass does not have enough clearance under it for double-stacked freight trains.
Inland Rail and its construction partner, McConnell Dowell, will construct a higher bridge in the same location to reduce impacts on the environment.
The new 35-metre-long bridge will be 3.5 metres higher than the existing bridge and its design will incorporate earth embankments sypathetic to the surrounding environment and retaining walls to help reduce impact on Avenel Road.
The project team will comply with the relevant approval conditions from the Victorian and Australian Governments when the removal of vegetation is required.
Inland Rail will distribute regular work notifications to impacted residents and businesses throughout the project timeline to ensure the community is kept up to date with the project’s progress. Other initiatives will also be done to keep the community informed, including updating the project website, conducting community drop-in sessions, posting of relevant social media and meeting residents face-to-face.
During construction, road closures will be observed and it might result in some traffic disruptions. A temporary access road is going to be constructed to allow continued access to Granville Drive while works are being carried out.
McConnell Dowell will be conducting pop-up sessions in October and November where the new bridge designs will be shared. Below are the dates and locations for the pop-up sessions:
McConnell Dowell will be undertaking various site establishment works in late 2023 and construction of the new bridge to be carried out in 2024.
The new Seymour-Avenel Road bridge is expected to be completed in 2025.
Source: Inland Rail; Infrastructure Magazine; Rail Express