Riverside Expressway

The Riverside Expressway bearing replacement required a temporary works system that could support bridge jacking, bearing removal and safe personnel access within a tightly controlled construction window.

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The first lift involved Eastbound Span 23, weighing approximately 630 tonnes. The span was successfully lifted, the bearings were replaced and the span was set back down during a 56-hour weekend shutdown.

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Key project elements included:

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Temporary Works

• Bridge jacking support falsework
• Personnel access platform
• Modular jacking beam and column support system
• Modular access platform system for use across different bridge spans

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Design Challenges

• Supporting the jacking falsework without drilling into the existing structure
• Keeping access platforms independent from the jacking beam
• Allowing for different bridge girder numbers, column sizes and column spacings
• Managing the critical performance requirements of the friction clamp design

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Design Response

• Column friction clamps were used to support the jacking beams
• The clamp system removed the need to drill into the existing bridge columns
• A full-scale friction clamp test confirmed the clamp could sustain 1.5 times the anticipated maximum load
• Close coordination with DTMR supported design validation and safe delivery

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The project required controlled temporary works design, practical installation methodology and clear consideration of existing structure limitations.