Victoria Inland Rail project is advancing its second construction tranche as Australia continues upgrading the Beveridge-Albury freight corridor. The project originally received an approximately A$200 million contract for its first construction tranche.
That value equates to about $130 million based on the exchange rate around the 2022 contract award. McConnell Dowell delivered that first tranche across four sites. Construction has since moved into Tranche 2 under John Holland.
The Victorian section forms part of Australia’s Inland Rail program. It upgrades 262km of existing railway between Beveridge and Albury-Wodonga. The works will provide the clearance needed for double-stacked freight trains.
Victoria Inland Rail project completes first tranche
McConnell Dowell completed Tranche 1 construction across Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Barnawartha North and Seymour. The works included bridge replacements, station modifications and track lowering.
At Wangaratta, the contractor transformed the station precinct and replaced the adjacent Green Street Bridge. The works also relocated tracks, added a western platform and replaced two footbridges with a pedestrian underpass.
At Barnawartha North, crews lowered the track beneath the Murray Valley Highway. They also replaced the Beaconsfield Parade Bridge at Glenrowan. At Seymour, the project replaced the Seymour-Avenel Road Bridge.
The first tranche created significant local economic activity during construction. Almost 1,650 people worked on the project, including apprentices, young workers and First Nations employees. Local businesses secured contracts worth A$161.3 million.
Victoria Inland Rail project enters second construction tranche
John Holland is now delivering Tranche 2 across eight sites between Benalla and Wandong. The works include station modifications, bridge replacements and track lowering.
Construction is underway at Benalla, Euroa, Seymour, Tallarook, Broadford and Wandong. The program includes modifications at Benalla Station and a vehicle underpass at Euroa.
Crews are also lowering track near the Hume Freeway at Seymour and Tallarook. At Wandong, construction includes bridge replacement works. Broadford has three work areas covering bridge replacement and track-lowering activities.
In September 2026, Inland Rail removed the Marchbanks Road Bridge at Broadford during an 86-hour rail possession. John Holland installed four new girders weighing 600 tonnes combined. The replacement bridge will stand 3.7 meters higher and 11 meters wider than the existing structure.
The Marchbanks Road works marked the ninth and final bridge replacement required across the Beveridge-Albury section. Inland Rail has now achieved the necessary double-stack clearance at 11 of its 12 sites. Tallarook remains the final location requiring modifications.
Victoria Inland Rail project strengthens Australia’s freight network
The completed and ongoing works will allow double-stacked freight trains to operate between Beveridge and Albury. The Victorian section connects with the broader Inland Rail route extending through New South Wales and Queensland.
The Australian Government confirmed in May 2026 that Inland Rail will be delivered between Beveridge and Parkes by the end of 2027. This will support double-stacked freight movements between Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide through Parkes.
The Victorian construction program also sits alongside Australia’s expanding passenger rail pipeline. The Newcastle-Sydney High Speed Rail project is progressing its Development Phase, including advanced manufacturing and major tunneling packages.
The two programs highlight Australia’s continuing investment in rail construction capacity. While Inland Rail focuses on freight efficiency, Newcastle-Sydney High Speed Rail is preparing infrastructure for high-speed passenger services.
The Newcastle-Sydney project has entered a A$659.6 million Development Phase. Its proposed railway will support journeys between Newcastle and Sydney in about one hour.
Also Read: Bidders for Australia’s North East Link project officially selected
Remarks on the Victoria inland rail project contract award
The Projects General Manager of ARTC Victoria and South Australia spoke about the project. Ed Walker began by acknowledging McConnell Dowell’s contract awarding. He further shed light on the company’s proven experience, especially in the delivery of major rail and infrastructure projects. The creative construction company has delivered railway stations, bridges as well as multi-million railroads in both New Zealand and Australia.
Moreover, the Victoria inland rail projects general manager said that the project marks a crucial step for Australia’s largest infrastructure development work. Furthermore, Ed Walker noted that the project is adhering to all the primary planning as well as environmental approvals.
Set to begin towards the end of the year, the project serves to bring a new wave of enthusiasm to North East Victoria.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Beveridge to Albury section of Inland Rail
Location: Victoria, Australia
Corridor: Beveridge to Albury-Wodonga
Rail length: 262km
Project purpose: Upgrade infrastructure for double-stacked freight trains
Original contract value: Approximately A$200 million
Original contractor: McConnell Dowell
Tranche 1:
Status: Complete
Sites: Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Barnawartha North and Seymour
Tranche 2:
Status: Under construction
Contractor: John Holland
Sites: Eight locations between Benalla and Wandong
Remaining clearance site: Tallarook
Wider program: Inland Rail
Target wider completion: Beveridge to Parkes by the end of 2027
Project Team
Owner: Australian Government
Rail infrastructure manager: Australian Rail Track Corporation
Inland Rail delivery organization: Inland Rail
Tranche 1 construction partner: McConnell Dowell
Tranche 2 construction partner: John Holland
Original Tranche 1 works: Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Barnawartha North and Seymour
Current Tranche 2 works: Benalla, Euroa, Seymour, Tallarook, Broadford and Wandong
Wider rail program: Inland Rail
Future freight connection: Beveridge to Parkes corridor
Leave a Reply