The following four projects were declared winners at the Civil Contractors Federation Earth Awards that were held at Alice Springs in October. Hitachi Construction Machinery was the major sponsor with the supporting sponsors being GE Commercial Finance; Volvo/CJD Equipment; Hyundai Construction Equipment and Traffic Technologies.

Category 1: Woy Woy Pedestrian Bridge

Working in heavy traffic conditions, restricted site conditions and environmentally sensitive waterways, Waeger Group completed the Woy Woy pedestrian bridge to provide a cycle and walkway network from Gosford to Woy Woy. The design featured a three-span bridge similar to and designed around the layout and methodology of the adjoining road bridge. With overall costs set at $910,800, which represented a 25 per cent saving on previous tenders, the Waeger proposal enabled the Gosford City Council to complete approach works in conjunction with the bridge construction, eliminating the need to wait on the next year’s works allocation.

The project had the advantage of a significant amount of geotechnical information being available. Precast concrete piles were supplied and driven to and overall depth of 28m. These were supplied as 16m and 12m lengths with an epoxy resin jointing system. These lengths were easily handled by the piling contractor and local transport and cranage companies. With the site on the edge of Woy Woy Bay the need to keep foreign matter away from local waterways was paramount. The utilisation of precast concrete components eliminated many of the potential environmental risks associated with over-water construction. The use of standard components and precast concrete reduced the level of waste to an absolute minimum.

Category 2: Wineglass Bay Visitors Carpark and Walking Track

Freycinet National Park, on the east coast of Tasmania, is universally recognised for its spectacular views. Currently, the single most important attraction in the park is the Wineglass lookout track. Exit surveys have shown that 68 per cent of the annual 200,000 visitors to the park walk to the lookout. To get to the lookout visitors leave their cars in the Wineglass Bay car park and walk the 1.2 km track, ascending 120m to the saddle to enjoy the panoramic views of the now world famous bay. However, the tourist infrastructure inadequacies of this major tourist experience have been recognised for some time.

There were a number of problems with the existing track which had evolved over many years. Moreover, it was simply too steep for walker comfort and the track surface was substandard. The project was completed by a consortium of Clint Johnstone & Associates, Cunningham Holdings, G&A Consulting and Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. Among the challenges facing the partnership in the reconstruction of the track was the need to keep the park open during the construction period with only minimal parts of the track being closed at any time to cater for up to 500 visitors a day.

Category 3: Cobram Barooga Bridge

The Cobram Barooga Bridge project, over the Murray River on the Victoria/New Sough Wales border, involved the design and construction of a new alignment for the Cobram Barooga Road for more the 1 km. The 200m long bridge was located about 15m upstream of the existing structure. The old bridge, built in 1902, has been listed by the NSW Heritage Council as being of heritage significance as it is one of only two of its type in Australia. The old bridge was restructured to one-way traffic, operating under traffic lights. Given the works were so close to the Murray River and required 35,000m3 of fill for the piling and bridgeworks, the project team installed a sedimentation basin upon commencement of work on the Victorian side of the river. This assisted in preventing turbid water entering the Murray River.

The border location of the works posed some interesting challenges for FRH. With works being carried out in Victoria and NSW it meant several of the tickets required for construction activities were not recognised by both jurisdictions. All site personnel were required to have both Victorian and New South Wales accreditation to work on the site. Traffic managers also had to be accredited in both states. All activities near the river required a minimum of two workers, life jackets, life rings and a boat on standby. It was also a site requirement that all personnel were able to swim.

Category 4: Middleborough Road Rail Separation Project

“… and they said it couldn’t be done.” That was the challenge for the Middleborough Road Rail Separation Project in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. And, this major road-rail construction was completed in just 27 days, eight days ahead of schedule. In what would have normally been an 18-month project, the Middleborough Road project lowered a railway line by up to six metres and built a road bridge across the line. In 2006 the Middleborough Road Alliance, comprising VicRoads, John Holland, Connex and the Department of Infrastructure was formed to deliver this project. Despite widespread industry and public scepticism that this ambitious project could be achieved, the Alliance completed it in record time. Among the innovations was the adoption of broadband reversing alarms.

Source: Construction Contractor