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Tasmania's best practice in bridge replacement

Tasmanian Councils have joined together to come up with a solution to reduce the cost of bridge replacement. This is a statewide issue and a major problem in Tasmania. The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) commissioned a project to investigate ways the cost of bridge replacement could be reduced.

The solution was to develop a manual of standard bridge designs. This removes the need to prepare individual designs and documentation for small bridges, typical of those found on local roads.

"These bridges are often small enough in dimension, span and height to allow a Standard Design as opposed to site specific designs required for longer, higher and more complex structures," said Stewart Wardlaw, Executive Director of LGAT.

Prepared by Sinclair Knight Merz, the Standard Bridge Designs are in a set. They comprise substructure, abutments and piers of a height of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 metres and 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 deck spans. They can be used in single or multiple span configurations and single or dual lanes.

The Designs use a high proportion of precast concrete as a means of achieving lower costs. Footing details are not provided due to variations in foundation conditions. These still need to be prepared on a site specific basis, likewise with conditions of site access, coverage and stream considerations.

LGAT's Standard Bridge Designs are a significant step forward in addressing bridge replacement in a cost effective manner.

"The Bridge Designs have proven to be 'best practice'," Stewart Wardlaw said. "All of our Councils have received a copy of the Designs and will benefit considerably from the cost savings derived from the project. We are more than happy to share the designs with Councils in other States wanting to make considerable savings, while ensuring that their bridges are still of a high standard and very functional."

Further details about the Designs can be obtained by contacting Linda Manaena on (03) 6237 0085 or Bill Lawson at Sinclair Knight Merz, telephone (03) 6224 2288.

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