Port Adelaide Viaduct

The Port Adelaide Rail Viaduct is a high profile infrastructure project situated in the heart of the Port Adelaide area. McMahon Services was contracted to carry out the removal of 700hm of elevated track sections, 150hm of suspended nation sections, 400m3 of contaminated ballast from the elevated ballast trough sections and various sundry works.

Significant sections of track were suspended over the six lane Commercial Road vehicle corridor, Lilpson Street and Baynes Place. The program of works was extremely demanding. Four fully independent work fronts had to be established to maintain the program. A invariable completion date afforded no extensions to the project deadline.

During the works significant asbestos ground contamination was identified across the site. The discovery had the potential to have a major negative impact on the program. McMahon Services managed the issue on behalf of the client by implementing a remedial action plan and mobilising substantial additional resources for the project. Extreme weather conditions also contributed to the difficulty of the project. Despite the issues encountered and the significant seake increase, McMahon Services met all programme milestones without incurring any accidents or lost time injuries.

As part of their contribution to the project, McMahon Services salvaged and processed 1500 timber sleepers, which had been designated as low level waste for disposal at a licenced repository for use in the volunteer operated Picki Ricki Railway. A glowing endorsement was received from the client for the rapid response and resourcing of the project by the McMahon Services site team. The project’s success highlights the aptness of McMahon Services in the field of de rail undertakings.