Environmentally friendly rail bridge

23/03/2018

VEC Civil Engineering, a Downer company, will be constructing a new 28 metre rail bridge for TasRail over Easter at Campbell Town in Northern Tasmania.

The state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable rail bridge will cross the Elizabeth River.

VEC was awarded the Bridge Repairs Tender as part of the joint State and Federal Government funded $119.2 million Infrastructure Invest Program (IIP), to upgrade priority sections of the Tasmanian Rail Network.

About 80 per cent of the pre-cast work is complete and the parts will be transported by semi-trailers to the site over the coming days.

Rail operations will be suspended over Easter so that the team can construct the new Elizabeth River Bridge. TasRail IIP Manager Gilbert Ness said the innovative engineering design would result in the 28-metre-long five-span bridge being replaced with a new 28-metre two-span bridge.

“This superior design will enhance environmental flows in the Elizabeth River, assist in the prevention of debris build up during a flood event, reduce ongoing maintenance costs and ensure the safety of our trains, drivers and customers’ freight along this key freight rail corridor,” Mr Ness said.

VEC Civil Engineering General Manager Lincoln Bromwich said the VEC team had been working hard to prepare for the bridge construction.

“We were delighted to win this competitive tender to work with TasRail to replace the Elizabeth River Bridge at Campbell Town. There is no doubt that TasRail’s commitment to supporting local businesses like ours enables us to employ additional people and contribute to the local economy,” Mr Bromwich said.

Pictured below is VEC Civil Engineering General Manager Lincoln Bromwich (r) and TasRail IIP Manager Gilbert Ness (l).