The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) has awarded the Port of Brisbane’s $110 million Port Drive Upgrade an ‘Excellent’ rating for the project’s sustainable design.
Port of Brisbane (PBPL) CEO, Roy Cummins, said achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating for such a significant infrastructure project was a clear demonstration of PBPL’s commitment to sustainable port development.
“Our investment in this project was brought forward well ahead of demand to improve safety and create a more efficient road network that would support the port’s growth well into the future,” said Mr Cummins.
“The project design was assessed against a wide range of measures including its management systems, environmental management, stakeholder participation, and innovation.
“The design stage also considered input and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders in areas including road design, landscaping and vegetation selection, and engagement.
“We also challenged ourselves and the Principal Contractor Seymour Whyte Constructions to identify and implement innovative solutions to ensure the design delivered optimal environmental and safety outcomes.
“I want to congratulate PBPL’s construction team, Seymour Whyte and its designer Arup, and thank all our stakeholders, particularly the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, for their continued support on the project.”
Key project innovations include:
- ‘Super I girders’ – Australia’s longest prestressed girders up to 46m in length, designed to safely span the existing rail corridor, therefore avoiding future maintenance or construction within the corridor
- EME2 asphalt – the largest placement of sustainably-sourced Enrobés à Module Élevé Class 2 (EME2) asphalt on a road project in Australia (approx. 50,000m3)
- Off site stormwater treatment – incorporating PBPL’s scientifically-based and assessed off site stormwater treatment project in the Lockyer Valley – the first in Queensland
Other sustainability benefits of the project’s design include:
- LED street lighting
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions – through the overpass design and use of EME2
- Increased connectivity of locally important remnant habitat through the installation of a fauna crossing
- Use of locally-sourced native plant species for landscaping
The project is also targeting an ‘Excellent’ ‘As Built’ rating from ISCA. The Port Drive Upgrade is a $110 million investment by PBPL to deliver safer and more efficient port roads. It is on track for completion in mid-2018.
