Bridge restoration wins award
From the Spring/Summer 2009 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Above: Traffic using the restored Bombowlee Creek Bridge. Photo by Roger Davies
Forests NSW has recently received an Award for Excellence for the management of the restoration of Bombowlee Creek Bridge near Tumut.
The award (in the category for projects up to $250 000) was presented by the Australian Concrete Repair Association to the successful tender - Metropolitan Restorations - for its repair to the existing concrete structure.
The cost of repairs to the bridge, located 12.5 kilometres north on Bombowlee Creek Road from the intersection with Brungle Road, was approximately $165 000.
Forests NSW senior technical officer, Bob Cooper, said Bombowlee Creek Road was of strategic importance to Forests NSW, being the main arterial roadway providing access to the 50 000 hectares of softwood and hardwood forests lying north of Tumut.
Forests NSW originally built the bridge in the 1950s when Bombowlee Creek Road was upgraded to access Buccleuch State Forest plantation.
In 2006, the organisations engineering services staff inspected the bridge piers and abutments after regional staff noticed surface cracks, reinforcement exposure and deterioration of concrete on the central pier.
These problems were exacerbated by an increasing number of B-double trucks as they crossed the bridge in a southerly direction and through increased traffic volumes during the major Billapaloola fires, Bob said.
Forests NSW engaged Engineering & Design Group to design the super-structure support and remedial repair works for the bridge.
The companys design was unique as it provided independent support of the portal, which prevented structural failure of the bridge, while concrete repairs and reinforcement works to the piers were carried out. It also met requirements for the bridge to remain open at all times for commercial reasons, Bob said.
Sarah Chester Public Affairs & Media, Albury
