Marking another major milestone for the project, V-Line passenger services resumed on Tuesday 25 July as trains crossed our spectacular, new 3200-tonne rail bridge for the first time.
The Kilmany rail bridge uses a network arch design that utilises inclined hangers to evenly distribute weight across the entire bridge. This allows the bridge to support passenger and freight trains across the 95-metre span over a four-lane freeway, without the need for a central support pillar.
In building the new bridge, the team used over 450 tonnes of Z-grade steel, a low sulphur steel chosen for its exceptional strength, light weight and flexibility.
The new rail-over-road bridge is part of the third and final stage of the Princes Highway East Upgrade and will replace the existing rail underpass that was built around 1965.
The Princes Highway East Upgrade will add 43 kilometres of new lanes to the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale.
As part of the project, we will:
- add 2 additional lanes to provide a consistent dual lane highway with a central median at Flynn, Kilmany and Kilmany East.
- strengthen the existing highway, install safety barriers and tactile edge lines
- provide regular U-turn facilities
- upgrade an additional 6 intersections, including dedicated turning lanes
- improve local road and private access to the highway, including a service road in the Kilmany township
- construct a new rail-over-road solution at Kilmany
- complete the final stage of the Princes Highway East Duplication Project between Traralgon and Sale.
The Princes Highway East Upgrade is due to be completed in 2024.