Published Sunday, 13 July, 2008 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
It’s hammer time for Houghton Highway
PREMIER Anna Bligh has declared it’s hammer time for the Queensland Government’s $315 million congestion-busting Houghton Highway bridge duplication project.
The first permanent piles for Australia’s first tsunami proof bridge to be driven next week by a 20 tonne specialised hammer which the State Government has christened ‘Thor’.
Premier Anna Bligh said two massive purpose-built hammers from Singapore and the UK will be used to drive the 154 permanent piles that will support the new bridge between Redcliffe and Brisbane.
“The 20-tonne accelerated-drop piling hammer imported from Singapore, which has been named ‘Thor’, is currently on its way to the project site,” Ms Bligh said.
“A larger, custom-built, 25-tonne pile driver from the UK will be commissioned, and maybe christened, in the coming weeks. That means it’s hammer time for the Houghton Highway!
“We are building tomorrow’s Queensland today to ensure we have the necessary infrastructure to keep pace with growth and we need to use the best from home and abroad to do that.
“These hammers are incredible machines and they will be driving the tsunami proof piles deep into the sea bed over the next few months.”
The huge hammers will drive the piles up to 39 metres into the sea bed over the coming months.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said while works for the new crossing had been progressing on schedule since February 2008, the commencement of piling marked a significant moment in the bridge's construction.
"As each pile is driven, we move a step closer to delivering this landmark congestion-busting project," he said.
He said the 154 piles for the structure would provide the support for the 78 segments or "spans", each measuring 35.3 metres.
A large platform off the Brighton foreshore will be used to access the worksite over water.
As each span of the new bridge is completed, the platform will 'leapfrog' forward to enable a new span to commence.
Mr Pitt said the duplication would double traffic capacity between the Redcliffe Peninsula and Sandgate, as well as provide a safer, all-weather access for commuters.
"The new bridge has been designed to incorporate lessons learned from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico.
"It has been designed to withstand a one-in-2000 year storm event and will be the first of its type in Australia, and among the first in the world.
“Commuters and recreational users alike need a structure that will meet their needs now and into the future, and I am confident this bridge will deliver."
The overall project involves upgrading the existing Houghton Highway bridge and approach intersections, constructing pedestrian/cycle underpasses at both ends of the bridge, and restoring a section of the historic Hornibrook Bridge and its historic portals.
The project is expected to be completed by mid 2011.
For further information, contact the Houghton Highway Duplication project team on 1800 626 976 or visit the Main Roads website.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500; Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The first permanent piles for Australia’s first tsunami proof bridge to be driven next week by a 20 tonne specialised hammer which the State Government has christened ‘Thor’.
Premier Anna Bligh said two massive purpose-built hammers from Singapore and the UK will be used to drive the 154 permanent piles that will support the new bridge between Redcliffe and Brisbane.
“The 20-tonne accelerated-drop piling hammer imported from Singapore, which has been named ‘Thor’, is currently on its way to the project site,” Ms Bligh said.
“A larger, custom-built, 25-tonne pile driver from the UK will be commissioned, and maybe christened, in the coming weeks. That means it’s hammer time for the Houghton Highway!
“We are building tomorrow’s Queensland today to ensure we have the necessary infrastructure to keep pace with growth and we need to use the best from home and abroad to do that.
“These hammers are incredible machines and they will be driving the tsunami proof piles deep into the sea bed over the next few months.”
The huge hammers will drive the piles up to 39 metres into the sea bed over the coming months.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said while works for the new crossing had been progressing on schedule since February 2008, the commencement of piling marked a significant moment in the bridge's construction.
"As each pile is driven, we move a step closer to delivering this landmark congestion-busting project," he said.
He said the 154 piles for the structure would provide the support for the 78 segments or "spans", each measuring 35.3 metres.
A large platform off the Brighton foreshore will be used to access the worksite over water.
As each span of the new bridge is completed, the platform will 'leapfrog' forward to enable a new span to commence.
Mr Pitt said the duplication would double traffic capacity between the Redcliffe Peninsula and Sandgate, as well as provide a safer, all-weather access for commuters.
"The new bridge has been designed to incorporate lessons learned from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico.
"It has been designed to withstand a one-in-2000 year storm event and will be the first of its type in Australia, and among the first in the world.
“Commuters and recreational users alike need a structure that will meet their needs now and into the future, and I am confident this bridge will deliver."
The overall project involves upgrading the existing Houghton Highway bridge and approach intersections, constructing pedestrian/cycle underpasses at both ends of the bridge, and restoring a section of the historic Hornibrook Bridge and its historic portals.
The project is expected to be completed by mid 2011.
For further information, contact the Houghton Highway Duplication project team on 1800 626 976 or visit the Main Roads website.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500; Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819