The Australian government has given its final approval for the construction of the 39 km section of the Inland Rail project from Illabo to Stockinbingal. The new single-track line will include an overtaking lane and an emergency maintenance exit, eight river crossings, two bridges over roads and one under. John Holland is expected to begin construction in the second half of 2025, with the opening scheduled for 2027. In October 2024, Inland Rail, the project promoter for the 1,600 km rail freight transport line of the same name between Melbourne and Brisbane, received the environmental approval from the New South Wales government for the reconstruction of the 185 km section of the main line from Illabo via Wagga Wagga to Albury. The works include the provision of clearance for 1,800 m long, 6.5 m high double-deck container trains along the existing railway line. Inland Rail can now prepare the environmental and social management plans, approvals and licences required prior to the start of major construction works.
