Strike Protection - Muriel Avenue

Project Overview

Bridge strikes in South East Queensland are a major risk to Queensland Rail, with potential consequences as severe as bridge collapse resulting in fatalities. Since 2002, an average of 40 strikes to Queensland Rail bridges occurs annually.

The rail bridge over Muriel Avenue in Rocklea has a bridge protection beam across each carriageway. These beams are attached to the bridge structure but any impact to the beams still has the potential to affect the rail bridge structure. Any beam strike requires a structural assessment of the rail bridge before full rail traffic can resume use of the bridge.

This project was awarded to JF Hull in a sole source tender process. The project was required to be completed within a tight time frame with Queensand Rail (QR) determining the scope would include a new protection beam to the westbound approach, and span the westbound lanes of Muriel Avenue, incorporating a column and footing within the concrete median island.

In addition to the new protection beam structure, the scope further included an upgrade of the existing guardrails, new kerb and channel, Structure Monitoring and Alert System (SMAS), installation of new Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and new signage.

The site at Muriel Avenue, is on a dual lane, two-way arterial road servicing more than 15,000 vehicles daily. As a result of the site environment, live traffic flow, and spatial constraints, all works were required to be undertaken on night shift under traffic control, with safety being a high priority.

Project Manager: Warwick Spackman & Sam Carr
Senior Supervisor: Dave Prouten

Project Scope

Project Requirements

The project requirements included:

  • Design and construction of a protection beam that would prevent over height vehicles from striking the bridge
  • The protection beam must be placed sufficiently in advance of the bridge to avoid a subsequent collision
  • An ‘escape route’ should be identified to avoid over height vehicles becoming ‘trapped’
  • Design a system that could be repaired or replaced without causing rail closures
  • Obtain BCC approval and acceptance of the design
  • Ensure motorist safety was not compromised
  • Maintain safe pedestrian movements throughout the site, and
  • Upgrade project signage to improve advance warning and awareness.

Design and Construction

The resulting project consisted of the design and construction of a new protection beam to the westbound lanes approaching the rail bridge capable of preventing over height vehicles from striking the rail bridge. The beam was required to be perpendicular to the direction of travel and to match the existing road profile. In conjunction with the new works, the guardrail was replaced, and a new crash cushion and apron slab provided.

100-year Design Life

The new protection beam required a 100-year design life and was designed to take an impact load of 1000kN at any point, and a horizontal impact of 2700kN to the supports. The beam soffit level would need to be 20mm lower than the existing rail bridge clearance, with sight lines to the adjacent intersections to be maintained.

Key Achievements

  • The key factor to the success of the project was the collaboration between the key participants, being QR, Brisbane City Council (BCC) and the design and construction (D&C) team consisting of Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC) and JF Hull. Despite being a fixed price, D&C contract, the team used a collaborative approach through the design phase to identify and minimise any risks that could potentially be encountered during the construction phase. This was done by incorporating team members from the designer (SMEC), the contractor (JF Hull), the client (Queensland Rail) and the landowner (BCC) in the design team fortnightly meetings.
  • JF Hull successfully completed this project one week ahead of schedule, on budget and without any traffic, safety or environmental incidents. This was a major achievement for the team and demonstrated JF Hull’s ability to safely lead and deliver technical high-risk time sensitve engineering projects in brownfield environments.
  • The JF Hull team incorporated invaluable constructability improvements during the design phase, particularly in relation to the piling. A geotechnical investigation conducted in the area found highly variable ground conditions which led to uncertainty in the final configuration of piles. To mitigate this risk, JF Hull engaged Wagstaff Piling to undertake the design and construct of the piles. By engaging this specialist piling contractor, the final piles were smaller than originally planned which removed the requirement for costly Public Utility Plant (PUP) relocation.
  • At the time of project commencement, JF Hull placed an important focus on early services and geotechnical investigations to eliminate potential conflicts. Extensive investigation through early potholing and service location work was conducted during the concept design phase. This enabled the team to avoid existing services (design out) through the strategic location of the foundations. It further enabled for provision of adequate clearances for both construction phase activities and future accessibility requirements.
  • JF Hull was awarded the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Earth Awards, Queensland (category one project value up to $2M) in 2021 for this project. This award was a great achievement as it showcased JF Hull’s ability to successfully lead and complete a project, while exceeding customer expectations.
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Project Outcomes and Performance

Social

Surpassing Training and Development Requirements

All personnel working on the project completed a site induction prior to commencement on site. The site induction included training and awareness in health and safety, environment, quality, sustainability, fatigue management, cultural heritage, working near Queensland Rail assets, working near live traffic and site protocols and rules. There were a total of 1194 man hours were worked on the project and additional site-specific training was conducted in accordance with the JF Hull management system which included:

  • Daily Prestart Meetings
  • Monthly Toolbox Meetings, and
  • Safe Work Method Statements.

Due to the low value and short duration, the Queensland Government Training Policy Administration System (TPAS) did not apply to the works and no project specific apprentices were employed.

Commitment to Supporting Local Suppliers

JF Hull made the conscious decision to source all supplies through local suppliers based within Southeast Queensland. This choice positively impacted the local economy as it contributed to the economic growth and stability of Southeast Queensland by supporting local businesses. Some of these local businesses included Evolution Traffic Control, Leigh Surveyors, Belconnen Steel, Univeral Cranes and Wagstaff Piling.

Successful Assessment and Identification of Potential Environmental Constraints

During the concept design phase, a desktop assessment of available databases and mapping tools was undertaken. Following the desktop assessment, a preliminary site investigation was completed by SMEC on 29 April 2020 by a qualified ecologist. The assessment identified potential environmental constraints and the documented condition of the existing environment surrounding the works. This included assessment of the following:

  • Vegetation species and communities in the area
  • Fauna species with potential to occur and suitable habitat, and
  • Waterways in the vicinity of the works.

Although the project had a very small footprint, it still presented several important environmental impacts. There was piling, excavation and concreting works which had the potential for runoff into the stormwater system and in turn directly impact the adjacent Rocky Water Hole Creek. Existing vegetation encompassed the southern footing location, with a combination of both native species and noxious weeds.   

Installation of strike beam during nightshift road closure

Providing Significant Community Benefits

The project had benefits to the community, both locally but even more significantly, the Brisbane south side commuter community. The reason for the project was due to the occurrence of over height trucks impacting the low-level bridge. These incidents potentially require shutdowns of the rail line while investigations and repairs are undertaken. By installing the strike protection beams, the chances of an over height truck striking the bridge with any significant force is virtually zero. This means much greater reliability for the commuter train line and massive benefit to the commuter public.

There were also benefits to the local community. Any future incidents where a truck strikes the beam will mean shorter and less comprehensive closures than if the bridge was hit.

Effective Collaboration with Customer Stakeholders

The project was run from start to finish as a collaborative effort even though contractually a lump sum D&C project. Queensland Rail and BCC were involved in the design process which gave initial buy-in to the solution and ensured any issues could be identified and resolved before getting to critical shutdowns in construction phase. Initially, Queensland Rail proposed a solution which was supported within the central median island. Whilst this was structurally efficient and economical, the concept options investigation identified that this solution would introduce obstructions to the sight lines for traffic using the right turn from Muriel Avenue (westbound) to Ipswich Road (northbound). 3D modelling was also undertaken to verify and confirm this was the case.

The project works were delivered on time and within budget, with the beam installation being completed one week in advance of practical completion which was positively met by Queensland Rail.

The key to this project being successful was the integration of the design and constructability into the initial design phase, which involved contributions from client, designer, contractor and key stakeholders. For the design to be constructible, it needed to account for all potential conflicts and for the final solution to meet the design criteria as it was necessary that it not require significant field changes or modifications on the go. This was especially the case, as much of the critical work was completed during the weekend or at night due to road closures as there was not time to re-design on the go.

To avoid redesigns during construction, we increased the location and mapping of services during the design stage. This allowed JF Hull to account for all conflicts and tailor the design accordingly. Each foundation had a unique design, which, although slightly more costly, eliminated the risk of damaging services or being unable to build as per the original design. This collaboration between the client, designer, and contractor ensured the project’s optimal outcome.

“No hassle from our side and a very good team doing the work on site – well done and thanks for making it a seamless project.”

Mike Anderson, (Project Manager – Queensland Rail)