Location

Maitland, New South Wales

Client

Transport for NSW

Sector

Transport

Rail

Duration

2011 – 2012

Contract value

<$25 million

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Thornton Rail Bridge

Fast facts

400 m

of new road embankment and bridge approaches

52.2 m

long 3 span precast plank and cast insitu concrete deck bridge

160 trains

passed through the site every day

20 m

long steel cages piled and placed during rail shutdown

320 m

long cast in-situ concrete retaining wall

71,497

working hours with ZERO lost time or first aid injuries recorded for entire project

About

Construction of a new 52.2m long, 3 span precast plank and cast insitu concrete deck bridge across the main Hunter Valley Railway, including 400m of new road embankment and bridge approaches, local road formation and associated intersection improvements, as well as relocation of existing power, Telstra, water and sewer assets.

With over 160 trains a day and nearly two million tonnes of coal a week passing through the site, the ability to work to the set rail possession shutdowns and ensure protection of rail operations was paramount, as any impact to train schedules would have incurred massive penalties in excess of $15,000 per minute to the network and coal chain.

The project team developed stringent safety measures and sophisticated programming to ensure safety of all workers and rail staff, as well as minimal delays to rail operations.

Adequate contingencies were planned to allow for delayed granting of rail possession due to late freight trains and forecast heavy rain. All works were successfully completed to plan well within the allowable time frame with access handed back ahead of time.

“Seymour Whyte has responded very positively to the delayed possession of site, demonstrating a proactive approach to maximise its productivity”