Published Saturday, 06 December, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Massive crane to help deliver Mulgrave River bridge sooner
A 550-tonne crane – the largest ever used for road and bridge construction in far north Queensland – is helping ensure that the new Mulgrave River bridge will be delivered ahead of schedule.
Main Roads Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour inspected the crane at work today while being updated on the overall progress of the $48 million bridge construction.
"The crane will effectively fast-track the construction of the bridge by 15 working days," Mr Pitt said.
"It will reach directly over the Mulgrave River to efficiently install concrete girders, helping to ensure the bridge is open to traffic by mid-2009, well ahead of schedule.
"The crane will install 50 girders by next Wednesday, representing the installation of 3000 tonnes of concrete in total."
The crane has completed work on the southern side of the Mulgrave River and, during the past two days, has been relocated to the northern side and reassembled.
Mr Turnour said the crane's boom alone was taller than the highest building in the Cairns CBD and, when operating, was balanced by 200-tonne counterweights.
"To shift the crane, it is stripped down to 100-tonne pieces and then each of these pieces is loaded on to a truck," he said.
"It's an impressive piece of machinery and the workmanship involved in both operating and relocating it is truly remarkable."
Mr Pitt said the progress being made on the new $48 million federally funded bridge was exceeding all expectations.
"The work of the crane will ensure the bridge is open to traffic in time to beat the 2009–10 wet season," he said.
"There is a definite excitement about the new bridge among the local community and people who regularly travel across the existing one."
Mr Turnour said the new bridge was part of the federally funded $348 million Accelerated Bruce Highway Upgrade Package.
The new bridge will stand five metres higher than the existing bridge to increase its flood immunity and is located on a better road alignment, about 30 metres upstream from the existing highway.
Media contacts:
Mr Pitt’s Office: 3227 8819
Mr Turnour’s Office: 4051 2220
Main Roads Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour inspected the crane at work today while being updated on the overall progress of the $48 million bridge construction.
"The crane will effectively fast-track the construction of the bridge by 15 working days," Mr Pitt said.
"It will reach directly over the Mulgrave River to efficiently install concrete girders, helping to ensure the bridge is open to traffic by mid-2009, well ahead of schedule.
"The crane will install 50 girders by next Wednesday, representing the installation of 3000 tonnes of concrete in total."
The crane has completed work on the southern side of the Mulgrave River and, during the past two days, has been relocated to the northern side and reassembled.
Mr Turnour said the crane's boom alone was taller than the highest building in the Cairns CBD and, when operating, was balanced by 200-tonne counterweights.
"To shift the crane, it is stripped down to 100-tonne pieces and then each of these pieces is loaded on to a truck," he said.
"It's an impressive piece of machinery and the workmanship involved in both operating and relocating it is truly remarkable."
Mr Pitt said the progress being made on the new $48 million federally funded bridge was exceeding all expectations.
"The work of the crane will ensure the bridge is open to traffic in time to beat the 2009–10 wet season," he said.
"There is a definite excitement about the new bridge among the local community and people who regularly travel across the existing one."
Mr Turnour said the new bridge was part of the federally funded $348 million Accelerated Bruce Highway Upgrade Package.
The new bridge will stand five metres higher than the existing bridge to increase its flood immunity and is located on a better road alignment, about 30 metres upstream from the existing highway.
Media contacts:
Mr Pitt’s Office: 3227 8819
Mr Turnour’s Office: 4051 2220