Pacific Highway Upgrade - Karuah Bypass

Project: Pacific Highway Upgrade - Karuah Bypass
Client: Thiess Pty Ltd

Two major, incrementally launched bridge structures on the new highway alignment. The design solution overcame technical and environmental challenges and was also beneficial in reducing construction time and risk.

Features:

• The western bridge, the Wetlands Bridge, is 218m long and the eastern bridge, the Karuah River Bridge, is 594m long.
• The bridges are separated by the Horse Island crossing which is 276m long. Each structure is composed of twin, concrete box girders of uniform depth and an innovative, prestressing system.
• The significant feature of this project was that both bridges were incrementally launched from the same casting bed, located at the western end of the Wetlands Bridge and then separated to form 2 bridges. This allowed the bridges to be constructed with less environmental impact than other construction methods.
• The superstructure is supported on concrete piers founded on piles and pile caps. Abutments are generally spill-through, with one being a reinforced soil wall.