Elizabeth Avenue Pedestrian Overpass
Project Overview
The Elizabeth Avenue Pedestrain Overpass project involved the construction of a fully enclosed steel truss pedestrian overpass to facilitate safer access for pedestrians across Elizabeth Avenue. As this is a highly trafficked main road, this construction was of particular benefit to the Clontarf Beach State High School which is situated on Elizabeth Avenue, allowing students to get to school without crossing a busy road.
JF Hull was invited by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for this R2/B3 contract as a sole invitee for the preparation of construction program and cost plan to deliver the project within funding and budget constraints under the Department’s School Environment Safety Program.
A collaborative approach was taken to assess the 85% design, provide constructability, program and cost plan advice, leading to the tender phase and contract with JF Hull as Principal Contractor.
Key features of the project included the installation of a single-span overpass with protective safety screen, connecting staircases, and additional infrastructure to facilitate safe pedestrian pathways such as pedestrian barrier fencing on Elizabeth Avenue median, between Isobel Street and Oasis Court. The scope encompassed extensive earthworks, drainage improvements, landscaping, and service upgrades alongside the installation of innovative road.
This fully enclosed pedestrian overpass now provides a safe, disability-friendly crossing facility between Clontarf Beach State High School’s main campus and the Department of Education’s fields across the road, for both students and the public.
Project Manager/Community Relations Manager: James Carden
Senior Project Engineer: Jordan Raetz
Site Engineer: Harrison Thomson
WHS Manager: James Targett
General Superintendent: Gerald Ryan
Scope of Works:
Project Requirements
· Installation of fabricated single span structural steelwork bridge superstructure, and structural steel approach structures
· Cast in-situ reinforced concrete substructure and cast in place concrete piles
· Adjoining on-grade concrete pathways
· Associated earthworks
· Drainage
· Landscaping
· Road and pathway lighting
· Alteration and addition of signage
· Installation of traffic barrier/guardrail
· Pedestrian and cycle balustrade, standard and koala fencing
· Energex relocation works
· Koala proof fencing, and
· Watermain upgrade.
Design and Construction
The project consisted of the construction and installation of a single span overpass with a protective safety screen, including the installation of staircases connecting to overpass ramps. The project also required the installation of lockable access to the eastern campus of Clontarf Beach State High School with an extension to the existing pathways to connect to overpass ramps. Also, the installation of pedestrian barrier fencing on the Elizabeth Avenue median, between Isobel Street and Oasis Court was required.
Biodiversity Requirements
This project required the removal of trees, vegetation trimming and landscaping of the area surrounding the structure which included the planting of over 250 trees to improve the koala habitat located in the Hays Inlet area. The installation of fauna fencing was also required to prevent native wildlife from crossing the road which was coordinated with Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Key Achievements:
· The JF Hull team successfully managed the safety of the community for this project. Due to the location of the works being situated near Clontarf Beach State High School and opposite a residential area, pedestrian safety was at the forefront of the project. Additional safety measures were put in place which were not part of the project requirements such as traffic control on the footpaths and ensuring there was no risk of incident to pedestrians and students. We proudly completed the works without any complaints or negative feedback from Clontarf Beach State High School.
· Early in the works, an issue was identified with the method of piling in the design relating to sensitive receivers to vibration, an old sewer main, a local childcare centre and church abutting the project. JF Hull collaborated with TMR on constructability input to re-design the piles to minimise potential delays of the project. By collaborating during the early works of the project, JF Hull resolved the identified issue, ensured the project was still underway and maintained a positive relationship with the client.
· As part of the additional scope to the project, a significant amount of koala proof fencing was required. There was a large koala habitat near the location of the project and the team successfully mitigated this obstacle by completing out of hours inspections to ensure no koalas were on the construction site and if found, were corralled and taken to safety.
· JF Hull continued building a positive relationship with TMR as evidenced during the monthly performance reviews and highlighted as a testimonial above. The team successfully managed this relationship, consistently demonstrating care, reliability and professionalism.
· The overall installation of the 210m truss bridge structure was a success due to the strategy that was implemented. To effectively install the truss over a busy road, the team installed 33.5m of the steel truss at night to ensure no disruption to the local residents. This was successfully completed without any incidents or complaints.
Project Outcomes and Performance
Social
Exceeding Indigenous Participation and Employment Engagement Targets
JF Hull successfully met and exceeded the contractual targets regarding Indigenous participation for this project. The contractual target was 3.4%, with the target achieved being 14.6%. By exceeding the contractual target requirement, JF Hull positively contributed to the local Indigenous community by improving employment opportunities, and providing development and training opportunities.
JF Hull also successfully met and exceeded the contractual targets regarding employment engagement. The contractual target was 2%, with the target achieved being 5.7%. This contributed to the local community and the project team by increasing employment opportunities and improved project outcomes.
Economic
Increasing Local Benefit through Local Spend and Engagement
The project brought significant benefit to the community, as JF Hull exceeded contractual targets regarding supplier engagement. The contractual target was 1.4%, with the target achieved being 9%. JF Hull also successfully exceeded the contractual spend target for Indigenous Businesses with the target being $205,847 and the target achieved being $1,318,128.
JF Hull positively increased local benefit, as 97% of the supplies used for the project were sourced within Southeast Queensland. The majority Indigenous owned suppliers who were engaged by JF Hull include Schramm Group Pty Ltd for traffic control services, LJ Crete Civil Pty Ltd for concreting, and Prizm Surveyors Pty Ltd for the surveying works.
Health, Safety & Environment
Successful Safety Outcomes through Traffic Management Initiative
JF Hull implemented robust traffic control systems for the project on an arterial road with over 22,000 AADT. Due to the proximity to Clontarf Beach State High School, pedestrian movement was constant. The project was constructed almost entirely within school grounds, allowing for complete exclusion of works at all times and ensuring safety for pedestrians, road users, and site teams with site access gates installed across busy footpaths near the school.
Protection of Native Wildlife and Koala Habitat through Environmental Management
Environmental protection was crucial for the project in the Hays Inlet area, home to koalas and native wildlife. JF Hull planted over 250 trees and coordinated with Moreton Bay Regional Council to install 500m of fauna fencing to prevent native wildlife from crossing the heavily trafficked road.
JF Hull implemented strict environmental management protocols, which included working with an arborist to ensure preservation of trees, and minimising noise pollution and vibration impacts while works occurred.
Community & Customer
Collaboration through Consultation Methods
The Elizabeth Avenue site is central to a number of key community venues, include the Clontarf Beach State School, Citipointe Church and adjoining childcare centre. As a result of this proximity, the local community were highly invested in the project, requiring JF Hull to undertake significant community consultation to ensure that there was minimal disruption to local stakeholders, residents and businesses in the surrounding area.
This included coordinating issues with the original design upon site mobilisation, which as initially proposed, would cause excessive vibration to the church and childcare upon piling construction. JF Hull worked in conjunction with TMR to do a full redesign which would mitigate this impact and ensure minimal disruption to the adjacent facilities.
Project leadership also collborated closely with Koala Rescue group, to ensure the project was constructed with consideration for the environment and local wildlife that was prevalent in the area.
Innovation
Adjustment and Redesign of the Standard Piling
An innovative approach implemented by JF Hull was through the adjustment of standard piling on the main piers. Due to minimising vibration impacts and not damaging the liner, the project team successfully installed temporary oversized liners to assist in creating a 12m deep hole into the ground, in order to effectively place the permanent liners and reduce the friction allowing for the permanent liners to be installed without the use of vibratory means.
Mitigation to Reduce the Risk to the Main Sewer Line
The project was located near an old rising main which had the potential to cause significant risk to the progress of the works if damaged. Additionally, any damage to the sewer main could have led to environmental contamination and damage to the nearby native wildlife and koala habitat. The design and methodology was updated in order to mitigate any potential damage to the sewer main. This included the removal of vibratory roller compaction and a piling re-design for the guardrail to be augered into the ground. The solution development was a collaborative approach between JF Hull, TMR and the asset owner.
“Very satisfied with the performance of the Contractor. They are delivering a quality product in a proactive, cooperative environment.”
Mark Riordan (Project Manager – Department of Transport and Main Roads)