Gateway Merge Project - Steel Gantry Fabrication and Installation
Overview of Project
The Pacific Motorway Upgrade – M1/M3/Gateway Merge Project upgraded approximately 3.8 kilometres of the southbound lanes of the Pacific Motorway between the Gateway Motorway and Rochedale Road.
The existing Underwood Road overpass was demolished, and a new bridge was constructed to accommodate five general traffic lanes in both directions, including a new bus on-ramp.
Scope of Works
- Neumann Fabrication was awarded the steel fabrication and installation of the Underwood Road bridge anti-throw screens and Variable Message Signs (VMS) gantry structures.
- The steelwork included the manufacture of, and installation of seven cantilevered VMS gantries, two large portal frame gantries and bridge Lane Use Management System (LUMS) bracket steelwork.
Challenges
- The installation of the steel VMS structures on the M1 under strict traffic lane closures presented a real challenge. The construction team was limited to a 10-minute window to lift and connect the cantilevered truss section to the column, which was an extremely tight timeframe. The installation methodology underwent numerous reviews and refinements to ensure the team was able to lift, install and tension a minimum quantity of bolts such that the structures were deemed structurally safe to allow traffic lanes to re-open as soon as possible whilst the balance of work was completed.
Outcome
The steel fabrication project was completed on time and budget, which was critical to the success of the overall project timeline.
