Mandurah’s $51 million bridge replacement works are well under way, with the completion of the project only months away.
The Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge Replacement project reached a major milestone earlier this month, when the new bridge was pushed into final position using the incremental launch construction process.
As part of the final launch Mandurah Terrace was closed to traffic for three days to remove the launching nose, opening two days ahead of schedule.
The launching nose, a tapered steel component attached to the leading end of the new bridge deck which guided the deck as it was launched across the estuary, was removed during the road closures.
A Main Roads spokesman Dean Roberts said the event caught the attention of Mandurah’s residents who formed a crowd on the bridge footpath to observe the action.
The next step of the works will include the removal of the cast bed, used for the construction of the thirteen concrete bridge deck segments, which will allow for retaining walls, road and path links on the western foreshore to be built.
With all the bridge segments into place, construction works will now shift to completing the new bridge so traffic can be switched onto it later in 2017, when the old bridge will be demolished.
However, a section of the old bridge will be retained on the eastern foreshore for use as a fishing platform and will feature a brand new shelter to protect fishermen from the weather.
“Road tie-in works to the existing road network will have traffic impacts for road users moving through site during July and August, but the project team is working hard to minimise disruptions,” Mr Roberts said.
“Watch Have Your Say Mandurah for updates on traffic impacts.”
The project is scheduled for completion in early 2018.