Thursday, 15 September 2022
Two of the largest precast, single-span prestressed concrete girders ever constructed in South Australia have been lifted into place in Port Augusta, as part of the $200 million Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project.
The 36-metre long and 1.8-metre high girders, manufactured by South Australian business Bianco Precast, were installed to form part of the dedicated shared use pedestrian and cycle path being constructed along the Augusta Highway over the national rail line.
Each of the mammoth girders has been constructed out of 16 tonnes of reinforced steel and 62 tonnes of concrete.
Works are continuing to extend the new Shared Use Path along Augusta Highway from the MacKay Street junction to the Flinders Terrace intersection (on the new bridge side of the Augusta Highway), as well as transforming the existing footpath into a raised bike lane.
The path is expected to be open to the public later this year, weather permitting. Safety screens and public lighting will be installed in the coming weeks before the path opens to the public.
Works are also continuing on upgrades to the existing Joy Baluch AM Bridge, as well as to the Augusta Highway junction with MacKay Street, which is being upgraded to a signalised intersection.
The works form part of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project, which is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments (80:20), with full project completion in 2023.
The project is being delivered by the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta (PW2PA) Alliance.
PW2PA, a consortium of CPB Contractors, Aurecon and GHD, in alliance with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, is also delivering the $124.5 million Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication and $260 million Augusta Highway Duplication projects.
The Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication project is on track for completion in late 2022, with current works including the finalisation of the northbound Wakefield River bridge construction, asphalting works through the Port Wakefield township, installation of new road lighting, and completion of a new park in the town.
In a milestone this week, northbound traffic has moved onto the new section of the highway and the newly constructed Wakefield River Bridge just north of the town. Southbound traffic continues to use the southbound carriageway. Traffic in both directions will be temporarily reduced to single lanes, just north of the Port Wakefield service stations.
Single direction traffic continues to be in place through the town itself. Drivers are advised to plan ahead, drive to conditions and be mindful of crews working in the area. Access to local businesses and residences continues to be maintained.
The duplication of the Augusta Highway is progressing well along three separate work zones, with approximately 75 per cent of the earthworks and just over 20 per cent of the pavement works for the new carriageway completed to date.
The project is expected to be completed in 2024, weather permitting.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis
The projects being delivered by the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta Alliance are some of the biggest infrastructure upgrades ever undertaken in regional South Australia and will leave a long-lasting legacy for the region.
As part of these projects, we have already seen the opening to traffic of the new Copper Coast Overpass north of Port Wakefield and the new Joy Baluch AM Bridge in Port Augusta – both massive pieces of infrastructure in their own right.
Now, we have witnessed another milestone, with two of the largest pre-cast, single-span concrete girders ever constructed in South Australia having been lifted into place to form the Shared Use Path along the Augusta Highway over the national rail line.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Roads Geoff Brock
The installation of these impressive pre-stressed concrete girders delivers improved infrastructure for regional South Australians.
In partnership with the Australian Government, we are delivering $2.5 billion worth of road infrastructure upgrades across regional South Australia over the next four years.
The Country Cabinet visit to Port Pirie and Port Augusta this week continues our commitment to serving regional South Australians, and will involve listening to and considering the needs of local residents.