The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has removed the existing Bridge St rail bridge in Muswellbrook on Monday, November 22 as part of a project to install a replacement.
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Major works on the removal of began at 6:30am on Monday and the ARTC said works to install the replacement bridge will continue until 8:30pm on Friday, November 26.
In a statement, ARTC said works will be carried out during the day and night during the planned works period to reduce the length of disruption to the community and the rail network.
"During the November planned works period we will be removing the existing Bridge Street bridge and installing the new bridge," ARTC said.
"This is a major milestone for the project and brings us one major step closer to completion.
"Works will also continue near Muscle Creek and Hunter River, pouring and launching concrete bridge segments."
A traffic detour is currently in place with the section of Bridge Street beneath the rail bridges closed to all traffic.
The single southbound lane on Bridge Street underneath the rail bridges will remain closed from 6am Thursday, November 25 until 6am Friday, November 26.
"The full closure will be implemented for the installation of the new bridge and removal of the centre pier," ARTC said.
"During the full closure, both northbound and southbound traffic will be diverted via Bell Street and Market Street.
"Pedestrians will still be able to walk under the bridges, however there will be periods where we will need to stop pedestrians for up to 15 minutes while we are lifting and positioning the new bridge."
The ARTC said Muswellbrook residents in the vicinity of the rail bridge can expect loud and possibly disruptive noises at times during the work period, particularly at night.
"We will be implementing measures to minimise noise across the site during the work," ARTC said.
"Lighting towers will be used to continue the works safely at night and will be faced away from residences."
The removal of the Bridge Street rail bridge is part of works by ARTC to replace three rail bridges in Muswellbrook including the Bridge Street Bridge, the Hunter River Bridge and the Muscle Creek Bridge as part of a $58 million project.
The Hunter River and Muscle Creek Bridges were completed in 1912 while the Bridge St Bridge was built in 1994.
Work commenced on the project in June 2020 and the ARTC said it expects the project to be completed in 2022.
