Erskineville Rail Overbridge

NSW
RailCorp
2007 - 2008

Abergeldie was engaged by RailCorp to deliver the Erskineville Rail Overbridge Project, which involved replacing a two-span road bridge on Erskineville Road with a single-span bridge spanning the main rail corridor between Central and Strathfield, consisting of six rail lines. Originally constructed in two stages—span one in 1890 and span two in 1925—the existing bridge included a large brick support positioned between the suburban and main lines. The project enhanced rail commuter safety by removing this central support structure.

Scope of works

The scope of works included:

  • Construction of piers, abutments, and anchor installation on Erskineville Road.
  • Management of steel supply and delivery of preassembled girders spanning six rail lines, with demolition and reconstruction of the 15m northern span and 26m southern span in single shifts.
  • Bridge road works, including approach slabs, jersey kerbs, pedestrian railing, footpaths, asphalt, and realignment of Erskineville Road and Angel Street, with line marking and signage.
  • Demolition of the centre rail-side support.
  • Community consultation, project coordination, traffic management, and rail overhead wiring adjustments.

Successful collaboration for timely delivery during rail possessions

The team successfully completed a complex redesign to install full single-length girders within a single shift. All work occurred during scheduled rail possessions and required strict adherence to safety protocols. This required seamless collaboration and careful planning with a range of stakeholders, including essential services, emergency teams, public transport operators, and the community. Through precise sequencing and scheduling, the team successfully navigated these challenges, achieving timely completion at each stage of the project.

Expert coordination for seamless service relocations

Service relocations required close coordination with utility providers to ensure the project stayed on schedule and disruptions were minimised. Managing the complexity of managing multiple service adjustments involved close collaboration with third-party service owners and operators. The proximity of the construction site to both live road and rail traffic added an extra layer of complexity, necessitating the need for detailed planning and coordination as well as stringent safety measures throughout the project to protect both workers and the community.