Community & Business
21 December, 2024
Palmerston works ready to roll
PRELIMINARY works have started on two sites on the Palmerston Highway following damage sustained during Tropical Cyclone Jasper and associated flooding last December.
John Holland Queensland – the construction and engineering firm awarded the contract for the works – commenced the works on 11 December, with a view to starting reconstruction works promptly after the Christmas/New Year period.
Complex geotechnical works will be undertaken at the sites with the permanent reconstruction works involving cast in-situ concrete piles, soil nailing, gabion structures and landscaping and hydromulching.
The road was identified as requiring the highest priority reconstruction works across Far North Queensland.
Transport and Main Roads North Queensland regional director Ross Hodgman said that since the completion of the emergency repair phase, a great deal of work had been done including surveying and geotechnical inspections, planning, designing and engaging contractors.
“The magnitude of the reconstruction works to be delivered cannot be understated,” he said.
“At both sites, more than 7km of soil nails and micro piles will be needed – that’s the equivalent of four times the height of Mt Bartle Frere – Queensland’s highest mountain.
“There’s 1200 lineal metres of cast in-situ concrete piling, about 1200 cubic metres of concrete – around half an Olympic sized swimming pool – and more than 2000 lineal metres of high tensile steel mesh, which will be used to stabilise both sites.
“We will work with the contractor to minimise impacts on the community as much as possible, however, the nature of the works means traffic delays and changed traffic conditions will be unavoidable.”
