3/7/2007 11:17:00 PM
| In an interview with Rob Trebilco who is Cut & Fill’s Project Manager for the duplication of the Arcadia section of the Goulburn Valley Hwy, he indicated that the project was on schedule and expected that the duplicated highway would be completed and open to traffic in November this year. However, he said, there would be some minor works that would extend beyond the freeway opening date, these works involved shoulder re-construction at intersections on the old highway which cannot be carried out at the present time; the erection of the wire rope barrier on the this section would also be installed at this time. The stock underpass at Doyle’s Rd cannot be completed until the new part of freeway is trafficable, it could take up to two months for this work to be completed. Rob commented favorably on the excellent co-operation that exists between the landholders along the route and the contractors who have the task of building the freeway. Traffic management along the route has been a concern but consultation with the Police and Vic Roads has helped to alleviate problems while the construction is in progress, there are speed restrictions along the highway while works are in progress. To the present time there have been no traffic accidents as a result of the construction works. Some facts regarding the construction of the freeway. 95% of the base fill, clay Type B has been deposited on site, total amount required 270000 cub mtrs (about 20,000 truck and trailer loads) Transport of the white stone material Type A from Murchison is at the half way stage, at the end of Feb 80000 tons had been delivered on site, this material is very dry and requires a great amount of water to compact it down. The balance of this rock should be carted by the end of May. There will be approx 220,000 tons of crushed rock from the Seymour Quarryrequired for the project; so far 15% of this material has been delivered. Water is an important component in the construction of the new road for dust minimization and wetting down the base materials, the company budgeted to use 40megs of water but will probably require a further 20megs to complete the job. There are 8 water carts on the job at the moment carting up to.8meg daily. There is approx 200 cub mtrs of concrete and 30 tons of steel reo in the bridges at Castle Cr and Dry Cr, excluding the pre-cast sections and safety railings. In fact there was 61 cub mtrs of concrete in the deck on the bridge at Dry Creek. At peak periods there is approx 50 people working on the construction site, normally 20-25 people on the project. Whenever there is a free BBQ this number might rise to 75!! Access Rd B which is a continuation of Moffitt Rd between Baliff’s Rd and Noonan’s Rd will become trafficable by the end of March; Bell’s Rd will then be closed at the Hwy. The access roads will become available for use by local traffic as they near completion; construction of these roads is from south to north. |
