Assisting in the delivery of a safer highway infrastructure for all users of the Bruce Highway, construction of the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 project is well under way and on track for completion by mid-2023. Source: Timberbiz
Critical to reducing congestion and improving freight efficiency and road safety, the Ring Road will duplicate the only remaining two-lane undivided carriageway section of the 22-kilometer Townsville Ring Road. Providing an alternative to the old Bruce Highway, it will serve as a bypass for through traffic, a distributor for freight and commuter traffic within the city, and an alternative freight route to the port from locations north of Townsville, it will also include a new interchange at local road, Beck Drive.
The Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads is leading the delivery of the $230 million project, funded by the Australian Government, with the design and construct contract being delivered by Georgiou Group. The project forms part of the wider and nationally significant $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade program, on Queensland’s major north-south freight and commuter corridor, the Bruce Highway.
Supporting this significant stage of the upgrade, leading Australian timber and building supplier Big River Group has delivered a range of quality formwork & building materials. “Having a strong relationship with our suppliers, as well as having our own mill located in Grafton NSW, resulted in Big River being able to secure the products required in a timely manner which met the requirements of our customer,” said Ben Classen, Account and Sales Manager of Big River Group.
Big River’s InFill Plus sheets were used on the top of concrete girders, which allowed cast in situ decking to be installed, preventing concrete from entering the girder tub. InFill Plus is a purpose designed lightweight F17 structural engineered timber plywood panel used for concrete girder infill panels. It provides a safe platform for workers to walk on and is a lighter option than alternative products, ensuring ease of handling.
“It’s been extremely satisfying to be able to assist Georgiou with our very own product alternative, Infill Plus at this critical stage of the project’s development. We worked out the required quantities and offered factory cut to size services, which helped save valuable time on site, cutting sheets. It was great seeing the product installed on site,” Mr Classon said.
With low embodied energy, InFill Plus is a greener solution and is available in four different thicknesses meaning it can be easily cut to size to fit any gap. Recent product development includes the addition of a 4.5mm thick fibre cement sheet bonded to the underside of the panel to provide protection against fibre breakdown of the timber over time entering the tub of the girder. It also eliminates any risk of blocking internal drainage ports and reduces any potential of tannin staining the concrete.
Additionally Big River supplied its engineered and dimensionally stable wood product, LVL Formwork for BridgeForm. A number of cost-effective formwork accessory and building material solutions were also delivered from Big River.
“It is pleasing to see Big River Townsville playing a key part in the supply of goods and services required for the development of such a large-scale project, together we are shaping the future of Townsville’s infrastructure,” Mr Classon said.
