Project Summary

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Laura River (South) Crossing & Approaches
Department of Transport & Main Roads

Client	Department of Transport & Main Roads
Location	Laura River (South) Crossing & Approaches
Contractual Completion Date	Current Project
Original Contract Value	$11.0M

McIlwain Civil was engaged by the Department of Transport and Main Roads after a two stage Early Contractor Involvement process to construct the Laura River (South) Crossing and Approaches. This project is the last of a number of projects aimed at satisfying the Federal Government’s promise to seal the road from Lakeland to Laura.

McIlwain Civil’s design was aimed at providing a solution that offered Q100 flood immunity at an affordable cost. This was achieved by using steel beam girders with spans up to 30m.

The substructure design incorporates cast-in place piles and reinforced concrete pile caps, columns, headstocks and abutments. The superstructure involves six spans of galvanized steel beam girders with cross bracing. On top of the girders is a cast-in-situ concrete deck with kerbs and standard bridge rails. All road and bridge works are designed to QTMR design standards.

The roadworks component of the project involves the realignment and reconstruction of approximately 2.2km of road approaches on the Peninsula Development Road. This includes significant earthworks incorporating both very hard rock excavation as well as dealing with sodic soils.

The remote location of the project required the establishment of a construction camp incorporating serviced accommodation for up to 40 men. McIlwain Civil successfully negotiated with the local indigenous group for the use of a site within the township of Laura.

McIlwain Civil has established strong relationships with the local community through the implementation of the Project Community Liaison Plan. The project also aims to offer employment and training opportunities for the local indigenous community.

The project also requires the development and implementation of a detailed Environmental Management Plan to ensure that the complex environmental issues anticipated on site, including rare flora species, are adequately protected.

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Early Contractor Involvement

Design and Construct

170m long high level composite span bridge

240m of cast-in place piles with permanent steel liners

1000m of welded beam girders

1,200m3 of Site Batched Concrete

2.2km of approach roadworks

20,000m3 of Bulk Earthworks including Rock Excavation

18,000m2 of Bitumen Sealing

Establishment of remote construction camp