Mainmark has been recognised for its role in upgrading and repairing the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Bypass, with the engineering firm receiving a Good Design Award in the Engineering Design category.

One of the largest infrastructure projects in Queensland’s history, Mainmark designed a bespoke engineered solution to help reline, repair and future-proof seven concrete drainage culverts that were vital to Toowoomba Bypass’ 41km long dual carriageway and ring road. The bypass was designed to improve freight connections to major ports and markets and reduce the number of trucks on Toowoomba’s local roads, however, the damaged culverts threatened the structural integrity of the bypass.

Since its inception in 1958, the Good Design Awards have been synonymous with prestige and excellence. The Awards celebrate the best new products and services on the Australian and international market, including excellence in architectural design, precinct design and engineering.

The Good Design Awards Jury says Mainmark’s solution is a wonderful example of optimising infrastructure on a range of parameters within certain constraints.

“Clearly innovative, this design was clever and had benefits for the project in terms of cost, schedule and quality. This is really impressive design and engineering, and a standout example of good design in this category that deserves to be recognised,” the statement reads.

Joe Glanville, Mainmark’s ANZ General Manager, says he is thrilled the company’s work is being acknowledged.

“We were really proud to be a part of this important infrastructure project for Queensland. It challenged our ground engineering and asset preservation team to think outside the box and deliver an alternative solution to a complex problem. Being recognised for our efforts is a great reward for all involved.”

Mainmark’s proprietary product, Terefil, was a key component of the solution to remedy compromised culverts underneath the bypass, as well as ensuring suitable drainage. The produce is a lightweight cementitious grout consisting of cement slurry and pre-formed hydrocarbon foam. Mainmark tailored the Terefil solution to suit the specific site constraints and allow the entire project to remain on schedule and within budget.

“Mainmark’s remediation approach was key to helping the Toowoomba Bypass reach stringent industry compliance standards set by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads,” Glanville says.

“Since completion in 2019, the bypass has been able to reduce travel time across the Toowoomba Range by up to 40 minutes for heavy commercial vehicles, improve freight connections and redirect trucks away from Toowoomba’s CBD, which enhances liveability in the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley areas.”

Good Design Australia CEO, Dr Brandon Gien says all winners of an Australian Good Design Award are testament to embedding design excellence at the heart of a project.

“The standard of design excellence represented in this year’s Awards is the best I’ve ever seen in my 25 years of running these Awards, an encouraging sign that the design sector is flourishing,” he says.

Image: Supplied

Jarrod Reedie

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