Major Road Projects Victoria is set to commence its next major task on the Clyde Road Upgrade, with crews demolishing the existing barriers and footpaths on the bridge over the Princes Freeway.
Crews will use high pressure water jets, known as hydro-demolition, to remove the concrete barriers. This allows crews to remove the concrete without damaging the steel reinforcements underneath, ensuring the bridge retains its structural integrity.
Cranes will also be used to remove the barriers and footpaths to create additional space for the new 10-lane bridge. The expanded 10-lane bridge will be supported by a 5.6-metre-tall wall, currently being constructed within the centre median of the Princes Freeway.
The 570-tonne structure comprising 230 cubic metres of concrete, will help support the weight of the new bridge, including 14 new bridge beams, each weighing 74 tonnes.
There will be some night closures on the Princes Freeway underneath Clyde Road throughout August to allow project crews to safely remove the existing barriers and prepare for upcoming works later this year.
To facilitate these works, barriers will be placed to move traffic towards the western side of the overpass, while crews remove the existing railing on the eastern side of the bridge.
The Princes Freeway underneath Clyde Road will be closed Warragul-bound from Tuesday 5 August to Thursday 7 August, 8pm to 5am each night and towards the city from Tuesday 12 August – Thursday 14 August, 8pm to 5am each night.
Following these works, the department will close the Princes Freeway in both directions under Clyde Road from 8pm Friday 22 August to 5am Monday 25 August to demolish the eastern footpath on the Clyde Road overpass.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for these detours, which will operate via O’Shea Road and Clyde Road (inbound detour) as well as Princes Highway and O’Shea Road (outbound detour).
The new-look bridge will expand from six lanes to 10 lanes, which includes new turning lanes on and off the freeway and improved bus access.
Major Road Projects Victoria Program Director Brendan Pauwels said “expanding the Princes Freeway overpass bridge is an enormous undertaking, starting with the demolition of the old barriers and footpaths”.
“We’re set to get these major works out of the way with a series of night closures on the Princes Freeway in August, allowing crews to continue building this important upgrade in Berwick”.
For further information on closures, text CLYDE to 0499 073 073 to receive up to date alerts.
