Rail Underbridge Replacement

Project Summary:

This rail project involved the replacement of the existing timber railway bridge on concrete piers over a creek, with a new concrete bridge and piers and associated works. Post-tender in late 2025, a bushfire rendered the bridge unfit for operations. A revised scope of works was then issued, under a revised methodology - with works to be completed under line closure, with full track protection.

Project Scope:

Construction of new underbridge was completed on the same alignment as the existing bridge, with the existing concrete abutments replaced with new abutments supported by piled foundations, rock scour protection at the piers, abutments, and upper creek banks. A new steel walkway was also proposed as part of the new bridge, for use by rail personnel.

Daracon undertook the role of Principal Contractor and self performed the full scope of works including:

• Management, supervision, engineering and surveying.
• Safeworking Protecting Services in the Rail Corridor.
• Traffic management.
• Earthworks and construction platforms.
• Management and supervision of subcontrated piling works, formwork-reinforcement-placment of in-situ concrete.
• Supply of pre-cast bridge girders and associated bridge elements.
• Ballast on bridge track build and adjacent track corrections.
• Site remediation and re-vegetation works.

Key Challenges:

• During tender negotations, Daracon accelerated the program and passed on savings offered by the revised scope that enabled us to construct the bridge under line closure with full time track protection. This opportunity resulted in the client returning the line to its customers ahead of schedule.
• Through its collaborative approach to contracting, Daracon worked with many suppliers local to the Central West NSW region to supplement its Hunter Valley based workforce and successfully overcome challenges associated with regional NSW projects.

Key Success Factors:

• Accelerated delivery of the project resulting in enhanced reputation with successfull delivery of third consecutive underbridge replacement.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing high standards of safety, quality and environmental performance.
• Adaptation to task specific lifting and working at heights equipment and methods to best suit the task. i.e. excavator, crane truck, mobile cranes, EWP, scissor lift.

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