Media Release: Australian-first bridge move for $620m Darlington project

The first of two 3,000-tonne bridges is being moved into position on the Darlington Upgrade Project in an Australian-first for a civil construction project.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said moving the 180-metre-long bridge would be a major engineering feat for the $620 million project.

“The giant structure will move about 100 metres an hour, transported and manoeuvred into place using self-propelled modular transporters, similar to remote controlled trailers,” Mr Fletcher said.

“When complete the bridge will deliver northbound traffic on Main South Road over the Southern Expressway and onto local surface roads.”

South Australian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said the bridge was one of two to be installed using the innovative construction method.

“Constructing the bridges away from the road and moving them into position substantially reduces the impact on traffic during construction,” Mr Mullighan said.

“If the bridge was constructed in its final position, at least seven road closures would have been needed but by using this method, we only need a single closure for each bridge.”

Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said the Darlington Upgrade Project, including the innovative bridge build and the Flinders Link Tonsley line extension, was about improving travel times across southern Adelaide.

“The Darlington Upgrade will help members of my community to get to work, school, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University quicker. It’s about making life easier for residents in Boothby,” Ms Flint said.

The Australian Government is contributing $496 million towards the $620 million Darlington Upgrade Project, with the State Government contributing $124 million. The project is supporting approximately 370 jobs during the construction phase. For more information visit the Darlington Upgrade page.