The new Riverslea Bridge and road approaches were key enabling works in the landmark $367 million Rookwood Weir Project on the Fitzroy River, 66km south-west of Rockhampton. The key objectives of the project were to improve the region’s flood immunity, enhance motorist safety and increase load carrying capacity for the agricultural industry. The new bridge would also improve access to the Rookwood Weir while it was under construction and support its future operations.
Sunwater appointed CMC to:
The project was completed two weeks ahead with no concrete-related defects or road-related defects after the 12-month liability period.
Innovation: CMC developed a sturdier and safer falsework system to be used in place of temporary scaffolding to withstand project site constraints such as flooding. The system was designed to be constructed on the ground, reducing the number of working at height hours, craned into place and fixed to the blade piers with beams. The falsework was designed to withstand a major flood event, but demonstrably withstood the multiple minor flood events that occurred during the construction period, maintaining site safety and the integrity of the bridge work.
Problem-Solving: CMC identified and solved a major issue with the bridge design after tender; managed known flooding risks by accelerating the construction schedule to complete the substructure prior to the region’s wet season; altered our construction methodology when the project site flooded.
Community Engagement: CMC sourced almost half of the project’s 272 personnel outside southeast Queensland; awarded more than 60 contracts valued at $4.7 million to regional suppliers of material and equipment; and contributed $590 towards multimedia upgrades at the local Gogango hall from our Thirst for a Legacy can and bottle recycling program.
Safety: At 21m above the riverbed, the new bridge was the highest CMC had ever built. Mandatory training requirements and construction design solutions reduced the number of hours employees worked at heights contributing to zero time lost to workplace injuries or medical treatment injuries. This was also achieved while CMC undertook its most complex ever crane installation of 90 tonne Super T girders. Three cranes were utilised in multiple dual crane configurations, including one span requiring two mid-air transfers.
“The new bridge is already providing safety benefits for the community, allowing families to get their kids to school and quicker trips to nearby towns. The previous crossing could go under water for weeks at a time during the wet season – forcing residents to cross the river by boat.”
Asset owner, Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams
