Weir Road bridge project steels for bank-to-bank milestone

Published on 23 February 2022

Giant steel girders, each longer than three school buses, are being craned into place in a pivotal stage of the Weir Road bridge construction project in Lake Macquarie.

The 37.5m girders will span Cockle Creek, creating a solid base for trucks and other heavy vehicles to travel across the new bridge once it is surfaced and completed later this year.

Lake Macquarie City Council Special Projects Officer Micah Barnes said the seven girders were manufactured in the Hunter, weighing 22.4 tonnes each.

“These are some of the largest single pieces of steel we’ve seen in one of our construction projects for many years,” he said.

“They require a 250-tonne crane to be lowered into place, and while they are enormous, the task to put them into place is actually quite delicate, with a narrow margin of error.”

Once the girders are installed, cross-beams and the concrete deck will follow.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the $7 million bridge would provide a quick, reliable route between Teralba and Barnsley – an important thoroughfare for heavy vehicles and residents.

“This bridge will be a far cry from the old weir, which as we all know was at risk of flooding in even a very modest downpour,” Cr Fraser said.

“Importantly, it will also include a 3m-wide shared pathway to create a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.”

The seven girders are made from weathering steel, which over time take on a rusty hue, but are more resistant to actual corrosion than normal steel.

“This reduces long-term maintenance costs, and eliminates the need to paint the steel,” Mr Barnes said.

The Australian Government contributed $4.7 million towards the new bridge, with Council funding the remainder.