Bridge finally comes down

Monday 30 June saw the last semblance of anything that looked like a bridge where the end of Anderson Street, which had scaled both railway lines for over sixty years, was removed after three 'occupations' of the line, one month of hard demolition, and five months of preparation before that. John Holland remains on track to continue with the Inland Rail project, the $31.4 billion nationwide enterprise which will allow for double-stacked freight to travel the 1700km between Brisbane and Melbourne. The Euroa bridge is one of at least six that need replacing between Albury and Beveridge to allow the freight to pass through and will be replaced with an underpass. Work being done during July includes final removal of the bridge's approach ramps, and piling for the new Handbury Street pedestrian underpass, new station platform, lift shafts, and Anderson Street vehicle underpass on the northern side of the line. Redundant rail track and signaling infrastructure will also be removed as work is commenced on drainage, hard stand areas, and street lighting. Inland Rail has released a lengthy time-lapse video of the bridge's removal, which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZVdBewt1AU