ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This is the first of two papers covering some long multi-span bridges in both urban and rural locations in Queensland, Australia. The New Gateway Bridge, renamed the Sir Leo Hielscher Southbound Bridge, is a major concrete box girder bridge, with a 260 m cast-inplace main span with navigation clearance of 55 m and a total length of 1,627 m, with typical 71 m approach spans. The development of the concept design is discussed, particularly with respect to the need for a similar appearance to the adjacent existing bridge while also introducing the contractor’s preferred construction methods. The new bridge has major structural differences in terms of cross section, some span lengths, articulation, and the erection method for approach spans. The bridge is notable for the specification of a 300 year design life, which led to a major investigation into corrosion mechanism theories, material properties, and construction variability, variability, as well as an education campaign for the construction workforce. The second paper will deal with viaducts in both rural and urban settings which have multiple spans of precast beams.
