Construction of the locally-made Matagarup Bridge in Perth, WA, has reached its most critical stage, with the first of four steel arch components being hoisted into place.
The first arch component measures 100m by 25m and is being lifted into position by multiple cranes from the pier closest to Optus Stadium in Burswood.
This arch component is one of the two smaller arches that form the outside of the bridge.
The other small arch component is currently under construction on the East Perth side of the Swan River.
Meanwhile, the two large ‘wishbone’ components that will form the central arch are now assembled and sitting on the towers beside the bridge piers, where the construction team is continuing the final fit-out of stairs and handrails.
Other specialist equipment has also arrived on-site, including mobile trailers that will be used to move the 120m-long wishbones off the temporary towers they are sitting on, and two large barges, which will be used to float the wishbones into position for lifting.
The three remaining arch components are scheduled to be hoisted into place in April 2018, while installation of the decks are set to follow in May 2018.
“This has been a remarkable effort by the local workers to get the project to this very momentous and critical stage,” WA Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti said.
“To put this in perspective, local industry only started fabricating the 50 arch modules and 22 deck components in September (2017). They have delivered more in six months than the previous government’s overseas arrangement did in 18 months.
“Over the next two months, we can expect to see all of the hard work behind the scenes come to fruition as the arches are lifted into place and the true scale of the bridge is realised.”
