TSRC: Last Super T girder delivered

THE last of 522 Super T girders for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing viaduct at Mount Kynoch has been delivered.

THE last of 522 Super T girders for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing viaduct at Mount Kynoch has been delivered.

Department of Transport and Main Roads regional director Kym Murphy said the final girder's journey was captured with a camera attached to the top of the 80 tonne girder.

"The viaduct is the linchpin of the TSRC because at 800 metres long it directly links the summit of the Great Dividing Range and the Lockyer Valley on a relatively flat grade," Ms Murphy said.

"This delivery marked the completion of girder installation on the bridge so it was only fitting that we captured the moment.

"It's a key feature of the design to achieve a maximum 6.5 per cent grade during the crossing, making it flatter than the existing range crossing."

Ms Murphy said making the TSRC flatter and straighter in its alignment was important for transport operators as it helped reduce operating costs for fuel and wear-and-tear on vehicles.

"It's also safer for the drivers and is less disruptive for residents in Toowoomba and Withcott, who have lived with the existing Warrego Highway running through their Central Business Districts," she said.

"The viaduct's elevation at more than 50 metres in some parts, also provides areas for fauna, including koalas, to pass under the TSRC in their local habitat."

Ms Murphy said the delivery of pre-cast components for the project's 30 bridges was a huge logistical feat for contractor Nexus.

"Nexus transported 1020 pre-cast bridge components (522 Super T girders, 498 deck units) from Brisbane to the road alignment, with the decision to have them manufactured off site and transported overnight to minimise disruption to residents," Ms Murphy said.

"With the final girder in place on the viaduct, the TSRC bridge construction program is 99 per cent complete.

"The Warrego Highway Toowoomba Range section is the region's busiest road, with about 23,000 vehicle movements daily and a large percentage of heavy vehicles.

"Choosing to deliver the girders at night was a sensible solution because it meant there was limited disruption to traffic flow.

"The safe delivery and installation of all Super T girders, which are up to 37 metres long and weigh up to 90 tonnes each, is a major achievement."

Nexus Infrastructure CRO John Hagan said the installation of the final Super T girder meant no more nighttime closures of the westbound up lanes on the Toowoomba Range for TSRC girder deliveries.

"We are extremely grateful to the local community for their cooperation and support during this time," Mr
Hagan said.

Originally published as TSRC: Last Super T girder delivered