FINAL designs showing how rail bridges in Albury will cater for double-stacked freight trains are expected to be made public mid-year.
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The Australian Rail Track Corporation is planning to present virtual three-dimensional images and flyovers of the modified Murray River crossing and new section of footbridge from the railway station to East Albury at a community event.
The changes are part of work being done for Inland Rail, which is linking Melbourne to Brisbane for cargo to be hauled between the capitals in 24 hours.
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Sketches depicting raised bracing on the Murray River bridge, a replaced footbridge near the station and lowering of tracks at the Borella Road and Billy Hughes Bridge underpasses were on show.
However an elaborate design for the footbridge, which is required to meet heritage rules and not jar with Albury's 19th century station, will not appear until mid-year.
Land divisions between road and rail authorities resulted in it not being built as one then.
More than 40 people dropped by the ARTC display on Saturday.
Among them was retired Albury IT serviceman Jim Griffin who is enthused by the project's scope to reduce truck travel.
"The benefit for regional Australia is immense to move freight quickly between Melbourne and Brisbane," Mr Griffin said.
But Don Nevin from Huon is more sceptical, given the troubled history of the railway from Melbourne to Albury.
"After all the problems with mudholes now they're saying we can have double stacked train carriages....let's hope they're catched all the mudhole weaknesses," Mr Nevin said.
Meanwhile, the North East Rail Alliance, a union of groups upset at Inland Rail changes proposed for Benalla, Euroa, Glenrowan and Wangaratta had its first face-to-face meeting on Thursday.
Two mayors and a deputy from affected councils joined the forum.
Better Rail for Benalla secretary David Moore said the groups wanted the Victorian government more involved in the planning process for Inland Rail.
The concerned citizens are also hoping to meet federal Transport Minister Michael McCormack who is to visit the North East next month at the behest of Dr Haines.
Dr Haines said the minister had accepted her invite, but a date and locations had not been finalised.
