WestConnex Rozelle Interchange - Bridge removal

The EIC Activities Structural Engineering team was asked to deliver the methodology for the removal of the Beatrice Bush Bridge at the Rozelle Interchange project.

About the project

CIMIC Group company CPB Contractors was selected to deliver the $3.9 billion WestConnex M4-M5 Link Rozelle Interchange in a 50:50 joint venture with John Holland.

The WestConnex M4-M5 Link Rozelle Interchange connects the extended M4 and the New M5 to the Anzac Bridge and Victoria Rd. It also provides for a connection to the Western Harbour Tunnel and the proposed Beaches Link project.

Scope of EIC's involvement

As part of the construction of the interchange, several existing structures were required to be removed including the Beatrice Bush Bridge that provided an elevated pedestrian crossing of Victoria Road.

The original bridge was constructed in 2005 and consisted of a four span steel box girder with a non-composite concrete deck and reinforced concrete substructure.

The northern approach consisted of 40.555m span and the southern approach consisted of 17.605m and 30.025m spans. The segment spanning Victoria Road was 40m in length.

The bridge was given a vertical crest to meet the required vehicle envelope of Victoria Road and was horizontally curved in plan to meet the required grade specifications.

The steel girder was integral in configuration and was stressed to each pier and abutment due to fabrication complications during construction.

Due to the location of the bridge, the time allowances for deconstruction were highly constrained and traffic management plans and safety were paramount.

The removal sequence and associated analysis was centered around the planned closures of Victoria Road.

The selected removal sequence was chosen to be an “inside out” approach where the span crossing Victoria Road was removed first and two workfronts removed the remaining three outer spans.