Matthews Bridge Replacement
Abergeldie was engaged by Hay Shire Council to replace Matthews Bridge in Maude. A new two-lane bridge with a footpath was required to open freight routes in the area as the existing single-lane bridge was nearing the end of its lifespan and had limited load capacity. Abergeldie constructed the new bridge adjacent to the existing one, undertook associated roadworks, and demolished the old bridge. The Matthews Bridge spans the Murrumbidgee River in Maude, situated between Hay and Balranald within the Hay Shire.
Scope of works
The works included:
- Pre-construction activities including service locations, site record, Fisheries notification, and flood mitigation plan.
- Site establishment.
- Tree and fence removal.
- Bridge construction works.
- Quality control testing.
- Safety management.
- Installation and maintenance of erosion control measures.
- Traffic management.
- Site remediation.
- Works as executed drawings and surveys.
- Roadworks to connect existing road network to bridge.
- Demolition of the existing bridge.
Collaborating to overcome high river levels
High river levels were a recurring challenge throughout the project and impacted the schedule of the works. The team worked closely with WaterNSW, enabling appropriate planning and scheduling of critical works including works delivered using a rock platform. Planning around the water was part of the ultimate success of the project, along with an altered construction methodology to accommodate the rising water. Despite risks, the project was delivered on time, within budget and safely, with zero Lost Time Injuries.
Improving local employment rates
The remote location presented resource challenges. Local labour was sourced with the assistance of a labour-hire partner. A large portion of the labour hired was indigenous, with 2,800 hours of indigenous participation recorded.
Environmental management
The construction works were carried out over the Murrumbidgee River, a Key Fish Habitat classified as Type 1. The river forms part of the Lower Murray River Aquatic ecological community. This community is listed as Endangered under the NSW Fisheries Act. Preliminary engagement of Fisheries in Deniliquin during the tender phase and prior to mobilisation on-site helped to ensure appropriate controls were in place during construction, particularly with the temporary rock access and working platform.
Working collaboratively with key stakeholders and the community
Throughout the project, the team worked openly and collaboratively with Hay Shire Council, the Public Works Advisory, the Department of Fisheries and WaterNSW. The remote location of the project meant the project team lived in the community for nearly a year and became somewhat “locals” themselves. Working in this small town made it easy to form connections with the Maude community. The team’s dedication was evident, working overtime and rotating shifts to expedite critical path tasks on the bridge substructure before potential floods.
Further, the project team welcomed Hay Primary School for a day of educational engagement, educating the students on the built environment, observing the project’s progress, and witnessing the installation of the second girder.
Existing bridge demolition
The construction of the new bridge was completed in 2022. However, due to sustained high river levels, the demolition of the old bridge was delayed and finalised in 2024. It took two years for the river levels to recede enough to allow for safe demolition to proceed.
Enhancing regional connectivity
The new Matthews Bridge has helped to improve freight movements across rural and regional NSW, allowing larger and heavier vehicles (from local farms) to cross the river at Maude. Further, the bridge has been constructed to modern design specifications, effectively mitigating the risk to river quality posed by debris falling from the old bridge, thereby ensuring improved environmental conditions.