Project Name: Construction of Boorolong Creek Bridge
Contract Value: $7.44 million (combined value of Baker's, Boorolong, and Laura Creek Bridge Renewal Program)
Funded by: Transport for NSW Fixing Country Bridges program and Australian Government Bridges Renewal Program
Project Managed by: Armidale Regional Council (ARC)
Background:
Armidale Regional Council has secured funding for construction of Bakers, Boorolong and Laura Creek bridges through Transport for NSW Fixing Country Bridges program and Australian Government Bridges Renewal Program.
Existing timber bridges have deteriorated and our latest bridge assessments call for significant restrictions of load and speed limits, affecting the use by large commercial transport on these bridges. Therefore, it has become a priority to replace these bridges to ensure road safety and maintain the quality of road network in the region.
ARC has undertaken tender process and this tender was awarded to Bedrule Pty Ltd trading as TOBCO in the council meeting held on 26 April 2023 for $6,761,516.22 excl.GST for construction of all three bridges. Having fulfilled contractual obligations, the site possession granted commencement of the project on 24 July 2023. All the three bridges will be completed and open to traffic by 14 June 2024.
Boorolong Creek Bridge on Boorolong Road:
The existing timber bridge will be replaced by a single lane 36.7m long prestressed concrete girder bridge. This will be a three span bridge. The new bridge will be constructed after demolition of the existing Timber Bridge on the same road alignment. A temporary side track will be constructed on the downstream side of the bridge and a single lane 25 tonne GVM rated temporary bridge will be installed to facilitate traffic throughout the project duration. Works will include site establishment, clearing and grubbing, installation of a temporary side track and 15m long temporary bridge, demolition and disposal of the existing bridge structure, construction of temporary piling pads, piling, construction of abutments and wing-walls, piers and headstocks, installation of pre-stressed concrete girders, concrete deck construction, reconstruction of the approach road, installation of signage and line marking, site remediation and dis establishment. Construction will commence on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 with completion forecast for Friday, 15 march 2024.
The span of the temporary bridge will be 14m and the load limit for the temporary bridge will be 25 tonne GVM. Vehicles of a total mass greater than 25t need to ensure the vehicle length /load combination will not breach the maximum load limit of the temporary bridge. Site specific traffic control and signage will be implemented for all stages of work.