Bangalor Bridge + Photos
The new bridge crossing Coffs Creek as part of the Hogbin Drive Extension, to be named Bangalor Bridge, was completed late June 2007. It has been designed and built as part of the Coffs Infrastructure Alliance, with alliance partners John Holland Group and Abigroup the primary constructors.
Bangalor bridge is 130 metres long and consists of two lanes with a 3 metre cycle/walk way on the eastern side.
Between 23 May and 19 June 2007, the community was invited to propose a name for the new bridge. A working party worked through the submissions and proposed the name Bangalor Bridge. 'Bangalor' is a reference to the Bagawa name for Coffs Creek - Bangalor Creek - which refers to the landscape and honours the ancient Elders. (Also see the media release on the name.)
The bridge is costed at $7.4 million and, once the road and crossing are completed, will greatly improve traffic flow through the city. Scroll down this page (below the images) for a timeline through the works between Oct 2006 and June 2007.
The Alliance partners have been working closely with a range of government agencies and departments to minimise any impacts on the surrounding areas. Lighting has been restricted on the bridge to reduce any light pollution that may impact on the annual muttonbird migration. The design has been kept low profile and in a colour sympathetic to the local environment. There is also clearance for the Coffs Creek walking/cycle track underneath on either side of the creek.
A major wildlife underpass is also being built beneath the new road just north of Coffs Creek, allowing a safe passageway for animals to move from either side of the new road. The underpass is 2.1 metres wide, 1.8 metres high and 22 metres long (see photo below). Koala fencing will also be installed along the road in the surrounding area to funnel koalas towards the crossing.
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A low-voltage, LED lighting system was developed locally specifically for the bridge and incorporated into the handrail (photo end July 2007)
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The new bridge over Coffs Creek, including walk/cycleway on the eastern side, was completed late June 2007 (photo 12 July 2007)
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Work on the bridge was completed in June 2007 (photo 12 July 2007)
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Finishing touches being put on the new bridge, including railings (photo 5 June 2007)
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Works on the bridge are progressing well (April 2007)
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Barriers being placed on the bridge (April 2007) |
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Craning in beams for the bridge's fourth span (Feb 2007) |
Beams in place for the bridge deck (Feb 2007)
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The completed piers and headstock for the bridge (Jan 2007) |
Craning the first bridge beam onto completed piers (Jan 2007)
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A 180-tonne crane is being used on the site (Nov 2006). |
The crane will be used to lift the precast concrete beams on to the bridge piers (Nov 2006).
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Temporary platforms have been built for crane access (Nov 2006).
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The cement pour for the bridge piers begins (Nov 2006). |
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The Coffs Creek walking track has been diverted temporarily to allow for the bridge platform works on the southern creek bank (Oct 2006). |
Preparation for the bridge temporary piling platform on the north side of Coffs Creek (Oct 2006). |
Progress of Works -
June 2007
The bridge has now been completed.
April 2007
All spans of the bridge are completed with work continuing on the barricade between the road and the shared bicycle foot path. Alliance staff are aiming to have all the works associated with the bridge completed by the end of May. Once bridge works are finalised Coffs Harbour City Council will commence work on the new Hogbin Drive extension on both sides of the creek, using the bridge as an access road. Work is continuing on the southern Coffs Creek walking track underpass with the gabian wall nearly completed.
February 2007
The second span of the new bridge crossing of Coffs Creek has been be completed. This span effectively crosses the majority of the waterway. Each span involves the use of a 180-tonne crane to place 18 of the pre cast concrete beams that make up the deck of each span.
November 2006
From the beginning of November through to February 2007, the pre-cast concrete beams for the new Coffs Creek Bridge are being delivered to the bridge construction compound. There are ninety beams, each 26 metres long, being delivered in convoy on individual trucks from the Newcastle manufacturer. Due to the length of the loads, the delivery vehicles will need to take time when negotiating road corners and roundabouts on their route to the site. Motorists are requested to exercise caution when following or passing these trucks and to obey all directions given by traffic control or escort vehicles.
October 2006
After designing and undertaking extensive preparatory works for the construction of the Hogbin Drive Extension bridge, the Coffs Infrastructure Alliance has reached a significant milestone.
From 16 October, the Alliance will be building temporary piling platforms on each side of Coffs Creek. This will take approximately ten days. These platforms will be used to support the drilling rig that will drill the piles for the bridge piers in Coffs Creek.
Eighteen piles will be drilled into the creek bed and these works should take 56 days to complete. This will generate some noise. The Alliance is working closely with Government agencies and departments to ensure appropriate environmental measures are in place.
The construction works will not obstruct canoeists and other creek users, however caution is required. The Alliance would like to remind the public to follow all directions when using the Coffs Creek Walk in the vicinity of the bridge construction site.
