Port Stephens Foreshore Drive bridge
13.7 x 9.6m SM1600 rated
- 1.2m Abutments with 2.7m Wing walls 45 degrees
- 1st InQuik bridge using stainless steel cladding 316 grade.
- Budget $1.4 million – InQuik components $330K EXC GST
In March 2021 severe storms washed away the culvert along Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay, forcing its closure. Construction of the InQuik bridge to reopen the road was completed 9 months later in time for the busy Christmas holiday season.
Project scope and guidelines
- Replace collapsed culvert with a cost effective and suitable structure
- The adjacent Mambo Wetlands is a treasured natural asset, so council needed to implement a construction methodology that was supportive of the environmentally sensitive conditions
within a high profile public setting - Tight time constraint due to the collapsed culvert closing the road
The Mambo Wetlands Landcare and Conservation Group floated the idea of a Bailey Bridge, a type of portable, prefabricated, truss bridge, as a fix for the culvert in May.
Council reviewed this suggestion and other options due to the coastal location and sensitive environment. Port Stephens Council Group Manager Facilities & Services stated that the InQuik Bridge ticked all the boxes.
“We considered all options for the replacement of this culvert – an engineering project of this nature in an environmentally sensitive area is critical,” he said.
“It’s a prefabricated bridge, which expedites installation and minimises disruption to the environment. We’re not removing or disrupting parts of the estuary and the design doesn’t produce spoil or sulphate.
“The bridge creates a bigger channel for flood water to move through should we encounter a similar weather event in future. Better flow will also increase the water quality within the estuary.”
Project highlights
- Efficient installation and top down install in a sensitive environment
- Stainless cladding to support the required design life in a coastal location
- Enhance safety – separate 2.3m pedestrian shared path as this is a popular exercise and dog walking route.
- InQuik components purchased via LGP 420 panel contract – with an experienced InQuik installer
