Client + Project
Sydney Metro City & Southwest (John Holland CPB Ghella)
The Challenge
Sydney Metro City and Southwest awarded John Holland CPB Ghella (JHCPBG) the contract to build the new 15.5 km twin tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham. This includes the future Victoria Cross North Station on Miller Street in North Sydney.
The Victoria Cross North station site includes an over-station development and neighbouring structures. Tonnes of spoil are excavated and removed from site everyday using trucks. An acoustic shed has also been installed to reduce noise and other construction impacts on the community.
It was important to maintain safe access for workers around the site, so the installation of an elevated walkway was explored.
The Solution
Following success with other projects for Sydney Metro, JHCPBG contacted Sydney-based custom height access supplier SafeSmart Access for assistance. SafeSmart assessed the site and identified that the shed itself was structurally sound for taking the load of an external structure. A high-grade aluminium modular walkway was devised and built by SafeSmart, which would be safely secured to the shed’s externally- protruding girders. The customised system was designed to be craned in and then secured from below by construction personnel. The craneable cantilevered elevated walkway is rated at 2.5 kPa. To gain access to the walkway, SafeSmart’s own Proscaf scaffolding was used to create a stair tower at each end.
Modules being craned in quickly, efficiently and with compliance.
The Result
The walkway contoured around the shed’s perimeter and provided a tight yet tidy way for workers to gain access over and to the rear of the site, as trucks freely travelled below from the pit to the street. This eliminated the need for excess staff to guide the two types of traffic, saving money and time for the client.
