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A
nationally listed 1934 structure, the Yowaka River Bridge is
located on New South Wales State Highway No.1 linking
Melbourne to Sydney along the southeast coastline of
Australia. The highway and bridge provide a vital transport
arterial and tourist route through an area that contains one
of the state’s largest oyster growing industries.
On the morning of June 8, 1999, a fully laden fuel tanker lost
control on the southern approach and overturned onto the
bridge deck, spilling fuel onto the embankment, which ignited
and flowed into the river below. In order to protect the
oyster beds located close downstream from contamination, a
decision was made to allow surface fuel to burn until
emergency containment measures were in place and operational.
Consequently, the bridge endured severe damage to the southern
half of the structure, which was then closed, restricting
traffic to a single lane.
With the seasonal tourist influx fast approaching at
finalization of contract documents, and a Christmas deadline
to fully open the bridge, it was clear to the contractor that
an alternate repair methodology from that specified was
required. Within a seven-week period, a complete structural
analysis and design had been performed and accepted, damaged
curb and guardrail reinstated, and supporting steelwork
fabricated, transported to the site, and successfully
installed. The bridge was reopened to full traffic on December
18, with a week to spare.
The substructure restoration work began in January 2000.
Following the encapsulation of the bridge for environmental
protection, hydrodemolition of the girders, deck soffit, pier,
and abutment walls were carried out prior to the application
of both formed and sprayed concrete. Through the revised
methodology developed and implemented by the contractor for
this project, the reinstatement of the bridge structure with
full restoration to its original historic appearance was
possible.
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