Causeway delays all this week

MOTORISTS be warned — the Lincoln Causeway won’t be a smooth run next week as the $181 million rail bypass project marks a major milestone.

Delays up to 30 minutes on the route between Albury and Wodonga can be expected from today as the first of 16 giant beams, that will carry the two standard-gauge tracks 5m above the roadway, are delivered to the project’s most visible bridge crossing.

The road will also be closed to through traffic from 7pm to 6am on Tuesday and Wednesday when the concrete spans are lifted into place.

Contractors could extend the road closures to Thursday night but fine weather is expected to have the work completed earlier that morning.

The first four of eight 16.5m long beams, weighing about 40 tonnes, will begin their journey to the crossing sometime this morning.

Four more will be delivered during Tuesday while the first of eight 26.5m, 55-tonne beams will be transported to the causeway crossing that night.

The road convoy to deliver the beams will travel from concrete yards in East Wodonga via Chapple, Osburn and High streets, with motorists likely to face up to 30 minute delays while the beams are offloaded.

Australia Rail Track Corporation spokesman Brian Dale said they had talked to nearby residents and businesses and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“There will be some inconvenience but there is a sense that this is a sign we are on track and headed to the whole project being completed in the second half of next year,” he said.

“Most people expected that we would have to close the road to traffic to position the beams — it is the only way this work can be done safely.

“We have a couple of days up our sleeves on the beam work but the weather is expected to be fine so we hope to wrap it all up in the two nights.”

The Lincoln Causeway will be closed to through traffic from the Hume Freeway on the Wodonga side and Nurigong Street in South Albury.

Motorist can get to Gateway Village from Albury.


Source: bordermail.com.au