Stephenson Avenue Bridge Construction Project

Project Overview

Fortec was engaged by the S2ME Alliance to deliver specialist incremental launching and post-tensioning services for the construction of Stephenson Avenue Road Bridge No. 1400 and Bus Bridge No. 1903, spanning the Mitchell Freeway and the Perth–Joondalup rail line.

Both bridge structures were constructed using an incremental launching methodology, with each bridge comprising 30 individual units. These units were launched sequentially in accordance with the project staging and methodology requirements.

Following completion of the launching operations, four of the six units of each structure were moved sideways to allow for the next bridge to be launched and were then subsequently tied together to form one bridge structure.

Fast Facts

  • CLIENTS2ME Alliance
  • LOCATIONPerth, WA
  • YEAR OF COMPLETION2025

Scope of Works

  • Post Tensioning of the launch bridge concrete segments
  • Sliding of 2 of the 3 No separate bridge units 15m sideways so that one cast bed set up can be utilised to build and incrementally launch the 3 separate bridges
  • Lowering and rotating of the bridges once in position as they are launched and slid across approximately 500mm above final level
  • Installation and grouting of permanent bridge bearings
  • 30 launched segments
  • 4 slide operations
  • 6 lowering operations
  • 4 tilt operations
  • 50 permanent bearings grouted

Key Points of Interest

  • Using equipment acquired through Fortec’s international partnership with MK4, this project also represented the first use of the Eberspächer Lift and Push System in Australia by Fortec, a significant milestone for the company.

Challenges and Outcomes

  • In order to maintain commuter access and train services, we used incremental launching with the Eberspächer lift/push jacking system, whereby the bridges were launched from one side of the freeway to the other.