The Tully Project was an $11M upgrade project for Queensland Rail (QR).The project was part of QR’s overall Timber Bridge replacement programme. It involved the replacement of the timber viaduct crossing the flood plains of the Tully River.

The scope of work was for the replacement of the timber structure with a combination of earth embankment, steel bridge structures, precast concrete bridge spans, and drainage culverts. The challenge to the project was that the works was required to be constructed directly beneath an operating rail line. The rail line had to remain operational at all times, with no disruption to rail traffic. This required that the works be programmed such as the installation of 40 metre long composite piles located only 3 metres from the track centre line did not have the potential to delay train schedules.

The final stage of the project was carried out under shutdown conditions. A window of 31 hours was allocated to finish works unable to be completed during normal operations. During this time the existing timber structure was removed, earth embankment completed, bridge spans installed and grouted, and rail track installed.

Another challenge that project team had to confront were the two major floods that encapsulated the project during the wet season. While these events did delay construction activity, the project was still able to meet the shutdown dates as set at the beginning of the contract.

The Tully Project was an $11M upgrade project for Queensland Rail (QR).The project was part of QR’s overall Timber Bridge replacement programme. It involved the replacement of the timber viaduct crossing the flood plains of the Tully River.

The scope of work was for the replacement of the timber structure with a combination of earth embankment, steel bridge structures, precast concrete bridge spans, and drainage culverts. The challenge to the project was that the works was required to be constructed directly beneath an operating rail line. The rail line had to remain operational at all times, with no disruption to rail traffic. This required that the works be programmed such as the installation of 40 metre long composite piles located only 3 metres from the track centre line did not have the potential to delay train schedules.

The final stage of the project was carried out under shutdown conditions. A window of 31 hours was allocated to finish works unable to be completed during normal operations. During this time the existing timber structure was removed, earth embankment completed, bridge spans installed and grouted, and rail track installed.

Another challenge that project team had to confront were the two major floods that encapsulated the project during the wet season. While these events did delay construction activity, the project was still able to meet the shutdown dates as set at the beginning of the contract.