29 July 2003

Today's crossing of the new railway bridge at Adelaide River was witnessed by hundreds of people facinated by the tracklaying process and wanting to be a part of this historic event.

Both north and south tracklaying crews are processing at 2.1km per day, with 80 kms to be laid to reach Alice Springs and 107 kms to the East Arm Wharf at the Port of Darwin. ADrail's tracklaying north crew are currently working from a construction camp at Adelaide River.

The township of Adelaide River is on the Stuart Highway approximately 110 km south of Darwin. Adelaide River was originally settled by telegraph workers constructing the Overland Telegraph Line. In 1886 a contract was signed to build the North Australian Railway (NAR) between Palmerston (Darwin) and the goldfields at Pine Creek. By April 1888, the railway had reached Adelaide River and a train first crossed the river using a temporary crossing as construction of the bridge was not complete at that time. The first crossing of the bridge was on 3 December 1888 by the Silverton.

In 1941-42 the bridge was fitted with timber decking to allow single lane vehicular access during the wet season flooding. The bridge was upgraded several times and the last train crossed the bridge on 30 June 1976 when the NAR ceased to operate.

Wheras construction of the NAR proceeded from North to South the AustralAsia Railway is being constructed towards the north in the Katherine to Darwin section. The new railway follows the route of the NAR between Katherine and Adelaide River and it is a testament to the original construction that ADrail were able to re-use many of the original culverts, minor bridge abutments and the Fergusson River Bridge.

For additional information, see:

• Heritage on the AustralAsia Railway Project
• History
• Environment and Heritage

View enlarged images

Tracklayer passing the old Adelaide River Railway Station - 29 July 2003	Public on south bank of Adelaide River awaiting tracklayer - 29 July 2003
Construction of the Adelaide River Railway Bridge-September 02	Construction of the Adelaide River Railway Bridge-September 02