Monster Super T's line up for TSRC upgrade
24 July 2017
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The first bridge span installed on the viaduct of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC)
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The installation will be a significant engineering feat and will draw on the skills of locals, many of which will be from the 1,800 jobs supported by TSRC
A major engineering challenge has been accomplished with the installation of the first span of Super T girders on the viaduct of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) project, linking Toowoomba with the Lockyer Valley.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the TSRC was one of the most exciting infrastructure projects in the nation, highlighting the Australian Government's commitment building infrastructure which supported economic growth.
“The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is part of our record $75 billion infrastructure investment programme, supporting up to 1,800 direct and indirect jobs during design and construction,” Mr Chester said.
“It is going to make a real difference to the region by improving freight movement, creating local jobs and making the region's road network safer.”
Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey inspected the site today to get an update on the $1.6 billion, of which the Queensland Government is contributing 20 per cent.
“The installation of the viaduct's first 11 girders (span) is a major achievement. This sounds like a normal bridge job, but not when you consider the work is happening on the steep side of the Toowoomba Range and these Super Ts are up to 38 metres long, weighing up to 90 tonnes each,” Mr Bailey said.
“The viaduct is being constructed along the escarpment between Wallens Road at Ballard and the New England Highway, using 5,000 tonnes of reinforcement and 26,000 cubic metres of concrete.
“Completion of the first span means viaduct construction can now progress without affecting the rail line and Nexus can move on to pouring the bridge deck that will carry four lanes of traffic.
“In the end, this huge effort will help to reduce the number of heavy vehicles in Toowoomba's CBD and is the engineering centrepiece of the project.”
Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh also visited the site today to inspect progress.
“The viaduct is really starting to take shape on the city's northern edge, with the first 11 of 242 massive concrete girders installed at Mount Kynoch,” Dr McVeigh said.
“This process will continue until the 22 spans are complete, alternating between Super T girder installation and concrete pours.
“It's great to see so many locals reaping the benefits of this project, including those involved in this girder lift today, and I'm looking forward to seeing the completion of this viaduct in 2018.”
Construction of the bridge deck will take approximately two years to complete.
The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project provides an alternative crossing of the Toowoomba Range for all classes of vehicles and hazardous goods transport to the north of Toowoomba, approximately 41 kilometres in length, running from the Warrego Highway at Helidon in the east, to the Gore Highway at Athol in the west.
The TSRC project is being funded on an 80:20 basis by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
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Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
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