The new 2-lane road bridge over Jacksons Creek opened ahead of schedule. Crews worked over 13 months, completing critical piling and bridge installation before pouring 790m3 of concrete for the bridge deck.
The new 65-metre-long, nearly 7m high bridge allows for the addition of 2 new lanes carrying city-bound traffic, making for a safer more reliable journey for motorists.
Additionally, the bridge includes a section of the walking and cycling path, connecting Sunbury town centre to Goonawarra.
The Sunbury Road Upgrade project has gone to great lengths to minimise construction footprint on the local environment and to protect its local wildlife. The bridge design has the central piers built off-centre on the bank of the creek rather than placing piers in the waterway.
How we’ve built the bridge
Large piling rigs drill holes, called piles, into bedrock. Iron reinforcements in the shape of cylinder cages are placed in the bore and then filled with concrete.
Pile caps are constructed on top of the pile so that construction can take place on top.
Piers or bridge columns are built on top of the piles to support the bridge.
Bridge beams are placed on top of the piers. The beams are then joined with concrete to create a bridge deck, forming the base for the new road.
Concrete approach slabs are poured to connect the road to both sides of the bridge.
Drainage is installed to ensure that water does not pool on the new road. Asphalt is laid to provide the surface for the new road.
Road lines are marked and barriers installed to divide the lanes of traffic and safe movement of pedestrians.
Did you know…
The extra-long 38m bridge beams were transported safely to site using a remote-controlled vehicle.
The 82 tonne, 38m long beams were locally manufactured by Westkon Precast in Kilmore and took approximately 6 weeks to make. They were then transported on a 55km journey to Jacksons Creek in Sunbury.
The extra-long length made it challenging to navigate around tight corners and required additional assistance with maneuvering turns. To help with this, the beams were transported on a remote-controlled steerable trailer positioned at the rear of the beam.
An operator controlled the trailer from a following vehicle while the truck completed all turns. Once the beams arrived on location, the operator walked behind the truck to guide the rear end of the beam into position.
Did you know that beams have a unique birth certificate?
Each beam is accompanied by its own birth certificate, which contains valuable information about its construction date, concrete curing time, and official quality certifications.
Bridge photo gallery
Works for the new bridge started in late 2022. The photos below capture our progress over the months.
Construction begins on the new bridge - Nov 22
Construction of the new bridge - Dec 22
Bridge piers built on the banks of Jacksons Creek - Jan 23
Construction of the bridge abutments - Jan 22
Construction of the bridge - Jan 23
Construction of the bridge - Jan 23
Aerial - second bridge beam ready for the crane to lift into place - Feb 23
Crane in place in readiness to lift beams - Feb 23
Preparation to lift bridge beams - Feb 23
Steel reinforcement - Feb 23
The bridge beams are carefully lifted into place - Feb 23
The new bridge taking shape - Feb 23
Third beam in place - Feb 23
Transportation of the beams to site - Feb 23
Crane in place in readiness to lift beams - Feb 23
Bridge beams in place - April 23
Concreting the bridge deck - April 23
Construction of the bridge deck - April 23
Construction on the new bridge - April 23
Crews concrete the bridge deck - April 23
Construction of the retaining wall of the bridge - May 23
Installed super T beams - May 23
Pavement work on the north side of the bridge - May 23
Preparation for deck pour - May 23
Retaining wall on the east abutment - May 23
Bridge deck - Jun 23
Building the approach to the new bridge - June 23
Construction of the new bridge - June 23
Scaffolding under the new bridge - June 23
Shared path to the new bridge - June 23
Concreting of the approach slab - July 23
Concreting of the approach slab - July 23
Installation of hand rails on the new bridge - Aug 23
Steel works for pile caps - Aug 23
Trenching for drainage works next to the retaining wall - Aug 23
Artist Ervin Molnar at work on the mural
Cleaning the bridge ready to open to traffic
Installation of road barriers on the bridge
Pedestrian railings installed on the bridge
