Rail Bridge Replacement

A 1930s timber bridge on the Maryvale rail spur was replaced with a single span precast bridge at Waterhole Creek, Morwell.

The Maryvale rail spur branching off the Gippsland Rail Line at Morwell was commissioned by Australian Paper in the late 1930s to transport paper pulp by rail from the Maryvale Mill to freight terminals in Melbourne.

Traffic loading on the Maryvale rail spur has increased significantly over the years with the installation of new pulp mills and paper machines and the upgrade of associated plant at Australian Paper’s Maryvale Mill. A large proportion of the paper mill’s containerised paper is transported by rail.

The Gippsland Catchment Management Authority required the provision of a clear span style bridge due to the nature of the Waterhole Creek flood patterns where water levels can significantly rise and fall on a regular basis. The complete design is in accordance with AS5100 covering prefabrication and construction of a 15 metre span, single carriage rail bridge. The new bridge has been constructed to exceed 100-year flood levels.

Given the criticality of the rail spur to the Maryvale Mill operations, the demolition and removal of the old timber bridge and installation of the new bridge was required to be carried out during a planned four-day shutdown.

Debtech assisted Australian Paper throughout the scope definition, planning and implementation phases to ensure the contract was successfully completed during the shutdown.

The demolition and removal of the old timber bridge and installation of the new bridge had to be carried out during a planned four-day shutdown.