The new bridge is to be constructed by Inland Rail. Photo: Supplied.
Junee’s Kemp Street Bridge is set to be closed for the next 18 months, with works to completely destroy and rebuild the overpass beginning next week.
As of Friday, 5 September, it will no longer be accessible to traffic.
The bridge is to be reconstructed by Inland Rail, the Federal Government body that is building a controversial 1600 km freight train route between Melbourne and Brisbane via the Riverina.
Junee Buses is one of several businesses to express their concerns about the lengthy closure
“It’s a frustration for everyone. Most people would wonder why it takes that long to build a bridge,” owner David Glass said.
“I suppose they haven’t prioritised it to make it as rapidly as they possibly could.”
As part of the closure, parking along Seignior Street is set to change from nose to kerb to parallel parking, to address the significant rise in cars and trucks travelling across both Seignor Street and The Olympic Highway.
Junee Hotel owner Emma Reynolds said this would cause major parking headaches.
“If the bridge were in Sydney, it would be done immediately and not take 18 months. Because we’re out here, small businesses and residents have to suffer,” she said.
“Council wants customers and residents to park along Gaba Tepe Avenue instead, which doesn’t have lighting or pedestrian walkways.
“It’s already a tight street, but if you have mobility issues or are elderly, it’s a massive safety hazard. A lot of parks where they want our patrons to turn to are taken up by council staff and depot workers from the other side of the road.
“Where are people supposed to park if the street is already taken up?”
There are also concerns about emergency services when the bridge in Junee is out of action. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Reynolds said she doesn’t believe Inland Rail had done its due diligence in communicating with local businesses on the Kemp Street Bridge works and the traffic management plan.
“They’ve dropped the ball on many occasions on stakeholder engagement and engaging with local ratepayers,” she said.
“It’s about common courtesy and etiquette for business which I believe, unfortunately, they’re not showing at the moment.”
There are also concerns about what emergency services will do, as the bridge is the only crossing over the rail tracks in town.
Region reached out to Inland Rail regarding concerns about the closure and was told it had worked closely with local stakeholders.
“The Kemp Street Bridge in Junee will be temporarily closed for approximately 18 months from Friday, 5 September 2025, to allow for the construction of a new elevated bridge, as part of the Inland Rail project between Albury and Illabo (A2I),” an Inland Rail spokesperson said.
“The works being conducted by Inland Rail will deliver long-term benefits to the local community, including works on the rail line that will reduce waiting times at the Olympic Highway level crossing, solving an issue that has caused significant frustration to local road users.
“Inland Rail has worked closely with local stakeholders to develop a plan that minimises disruption. Where impacts do occur, Inland Rail will attempt to mitigate them wherever possible.
“Inland Rail thanks the Junee community for their patience and understanding while we undertake these important works.”
Ms Reynolds said having the bridge closed and the street congested during the upcoming bloom of canola, a heightened tourist period, was not ideal, but she was still encouraging people to visit the hotel and other local Junee businesses.
“We still want people to come and visit during this time, we still want people to show their support,” she said.
“Come and have a beer and a yarn, it’s the best way to support businesses during this time.”
If you know more about these issues or are also impacted, please email [email protected] or phone 0427 525 600.
