Work has begun on a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists in North Ryde, traversing Delhi Road and the Hills M2 motorway.

The landmark $40 million steel bridge project is being developed by Landcom, the NSW Government’s land and property development organisation, to provide safe and easy access to Lachlan’s Line development, North Ryde Railway Station and Macquarie Park.

Landcom CEO John Brogden says that the 160-metre-long bridge will be one of the first of its kind in the world due to its complex 32mm flat plate steel construction, which twists and contorts to achieve the desired form.

According to Brogden, the complex design will require innovative fabrication and construction methods, marking a new approach to advanced steel manufacturing in Australia. The steel for the bridge will be sourced and manufactured in the country.

The new bridge has a sinuous, fluid form and will stand out for its blue spiralling truss design.

The helix-shaped bridge design was chosen to mark the gateway to Landcom’s Lachlan’s Line urban precinct with an inspiring, unique structure, he added.

Observing that thousands of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will interact with this engineering marvel each day, Brogden says the bridge was another example of Landcom’s commitment to providing high quality, safe infrastructure for residents of their developments and the wider community.

A design and construct contract has been awarded to a joint venture between Arenco (NSW) and the Daracon Group at Beresfield, NSW, with Western Sydney-based steel fabricator S&L Steel being sub-contracted for the fabrication work.

Brogden also acknowledged the contributions of bridge architect KI Studio and structural engineering firm Arup to the project.

The new bridge is an important piece of infrastructure that will support the 5,000 new residents who will eventually reside at Lachlan’s Line, helping to reduce their reliance on cars.

The bridge sections are now being fabricated off-site with on-site construction to begin later this year.

Image: Artist's impression of Lachlan’s Line bridge (Image is indicative only, and subject to change)