Bridge construction
Following the successful demolition and removal of the old bridge in late May, the program of works for constructing the new Fitzroy River Bridge has started. Thirty-four piles are currently being driven into the riverbed to support the new bridge piers. Each of the seven piers will consist of four piles, while three additional piles will be located at each abutment (end of bridge).
The team is installing one pile at a time in the riverbed. Each pile consists of two pile casings which will be welded together on site and infilled with concrete. The concrete pile caps and piers then sit on top of the piles, supporting the bridge.
The piling works will continue until August. Residents may hear noise and vibrations during this time. Sounds painful.
Above: Piling has started on the new bridge
Bridge construction lookahead
Earthworks
Earthworks on the east side of the river are underway to lower a section of the old riverbank that was damaged by the floods. The area will be removed to allow piles to be driven into the riverbed and support the extension of the new bridge by approximately 100 metres on the east side of the river. This work should be complete by late June to early July.
Construction causeway
The construction of the temporary causeway will continue until the end of June. It is being built adjacent the bridge site to provide construction equipment such as drill rigs and cranes with easier access to the full length of the bridge.
Above: Earthworks and causeway construction underway
Launch pad construction
In May, the project team started clearing the area for a temporary casting bed on the west side of the river which will form the foundation on which the permanent bridge deck will be constructed. This area is where the new bridge segments will be built before being incrementally launched across the river.
At the end of June, the team will start pouring concrete footings to create a concrete pad for the casting bed. This work will continue until the end of July.
Pile installation and pier construction
More piles will arrive on site during June and July, to allow installation works to continue.
The pile caps will be constructed on site starting towards the end of June. The piles will be cut to ground level and formwork will be put in place to mould the reinforcement steel and concrete. The pile caps will be 2 metres high, 5 metres wide and 12 metres long.
The shells for the bridge piers, which sit on top of the pile caps, will be poured this month in Perth and then transported to site from July to September. The shells will be fabricated in four segments, 2.2 metres high, 1.2 metres wide and 12 metres long, and stacked on top of the piling cap, bolted together, and then filled with reinforcement steel and concrete.
Bridge beams
The bridge beams, which provide the structural support of the bridge segments, are being fabricated offsite during June. They are due to arrive on site between late July and September.
Project support
Batch plant
A temporary concrete batch plant has been set up near the Power Station on the west side of town. The plant will be commissioned early June and will provide concrete for the project.
Site office
In May, the project team moved into a site office in the laydown area next to the construction site. The temporary set-up will stay in place until the project nears completion next year.
Above: Construction office in laydown yard
Camp
A temporary construction camp is being set up 9km west of town. The 100-bed camp will house the project team until all works on the bridge is complete. Works including clearing, fencing and pad construction, are already underway to prepare the area. The first of the accommodation and support units have also arrived on site and are anticipated to be operational by late July.
The project team will also continue to use camps on the east side of the river, in preparation for managing access during the next wet season.
Employment and business opportunities
The project team has been working with the community to place people into roles on the project and identifying sub-contracting opportunities for interested local businesses.
Employment
Currently, approximately 25% of the workforce are from the Fitzroy Valley, and this number continues to grow. One of the local sub-contractors, Giles Contracting, was engaged by the regional Main Roads team to undertake traffic management for the temporary river crossings. With this work now complete, the sub-contractor and their local employees have started working on the new Fitzroy River Bridge Project.
Above: Traffic team on Great Northern Highway Above: Rhonda and Sarah's first day at work
Two of the latest recruits to join the team, are Rhonda and Sarah. The two Gooniyandi ladies jumped at the opportunity to take up the role of site cleaners. Within hours of the roles being advertised, the ladies put their hands up to take on the challenge and started their new jobs the next day. Help me Rhonda, Help, Help me Rhonda, Help me Rhonda, Yeah, Get her out of my heart.
To find out more about jobs on the project for Fitzroy Valley residents’ roles, please drop into the Old Café in Fitzroy Crossing and talk to Sean or Roger
Business
A workshop was held in May to engage local businesses who were interested in sub-contracting to the project. The workshop was well attended by approximately 40 people. The workshop also provided information for people who were interested in starting up a business. Attendees’ businesses covered a range of services including fencing, tourism, legal support, plumbing, concreting, bus driving and trenching.
There are many sub-contractor and supply opportunities available for local businesses on the project involved with constructing the bridge, running the camp and supplying materials. The project team will also help guide local businesses in the right direction for future work in the Fitzroy Valley and the wider Kimberley Region.
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