Connecting communities safely

The third stage of the Princes Highway East Upgrade completes the major program of works that will bring better, faster and safer connections between Victorian communities.

Laing O’Rourke is designing and constructing the third and final stage of the project which is a 5km section in the Kilmany area.

The centrepiece of this upgrade is a 95m long single span steel arch suspension rail bridge. The bridge was constructed next to the current rail line and slid into place, minimising the disruptions to rail passengers.

The duplication of the highway will add an extra two lanes to create a dual-lane carriageway separated by a central median.  This will improve journey times and improve safety for road users.

Impact

Minimising disruptions to traffic flow is always paramount in the delivery of road projects. Laing O’Rourke’s vast experience in highway construction ensures safety and efficiency with proactive consultations for any closures required.

Laing O’Rourke is working closely with utility service providers to minimise service disruptions while relocating and protecting the required infrastructure. With deep experience in Australian railway construction, Laing O’Rourke understands the importance of collaborating with railway managers to ensure continuity of nearby network services.

Community and stakeholder management is a key priority. A stakeholder management strategy was designed and is constantly revisited to ensure the various stakeholders and property owners impacted by the project are communicated with and engaged appropriately.

Outcomes

Once complete the upgrade will provide 5.1km of duplicated highway through Kilmany providing immediate safety improvements for up to 15,000 motorists who use this stretch of road every day and improve journey times between Traralgon and Sale.

The additional three intersections will allow the community safer options for access to local roads and with dedicated left- and right-hand turn lanes allow highway users less disruption.

The three waterway crossings will further provide additional support for flooding concerns in the area.

The dedicated service road for the Kilmany Township will provide the community safer access to their homes.

The impressive 95m Rail Bridge replaces the existing road-over-rail design and allows a dual-lane carriageway underpass under the rail line. To minimise disruption to the rail line, the bridge’s concrete deck and steel arch were constructed offline then transported into place using a slide rail and high-strength jacking system.

Sustainability

The team is driving outstanding sustainability outcomes, having delivered a solar-powered site compound, an Australian first for the construction industry at the time.

The renewable power solution is designed for plug-and-play installation, is scalable to meet the energy consumption of most site compounds, doubles as a pergola and is readily transportable to be used again.

The design, including the current proposed road under rail solution, has been through a stakeholder and community engagement process to ensure the project will deliver for all.

On the environmental front, native vegetation and waterways exist within the project area - to protect them, no-go zones and construction activity boundaries have been established.

Benefits coming from this project also include improved road safety, improved transport network efficiency, greater opportunities for regional economic growth and minimisation of highway impacts on landowners and the local community.

The project in numbers

• $150 million project value
• 2 years project duration
• 1 kilometres of duplication added during Stage 3
• 95m long single span, steel arch rail over road bridge
• 3 intersection upgrades
• 3 waterway crossings