A bridge upgrade in Victoria’s Yarra Ranges has commenced, with works expected to be completed in eight weeks, weather permitting.
The Cement Creek Bridge Upgrade Project will provide safer access to the Cement Creek Redwood Forest, which involves replacement of the existing bridge decking to increase load capacity and a new pedestrian access way alongside the present structure.
Over the past three weeks, contractors have conducted preliminary works, culminating in the installation of a crane last week, which has already begun removing the older beams.
This work was delayed by the landslip on the Warburton Highway caused by the October 2022 flood event. It prevented the contractor from bringing heavy machinery to the site to finish the dismantling of the existing bridge and installing components for the new bridge.
The next stage of upgrade works will include the installation of new beams and decking, and works are expected to be completed around mid-October.
The $1.3 million bridge renewal project is being funded by the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program and Bridge Renewal Program, and the Victorian State Government.
Once the Yarra Ranges Council bridge works are complete, Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water will commence on a $3 million Redwood Forest redevelopment which will include constructing an accessible public toilet facility and a visitor weather shelter.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is our weekly news journalist and the editor of Concrete in Australia magazine for 10 years. She has been heavily involved in all forms of engineering since 2013; part of a 30-year writing career across a range of subjects and media.