Waterfall Enabling Works

NSW
Transport for NSW
2020
430

piles installed

10,000t

recycled material

497m

retaining wall constructed

2km

utility services relocated

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) engaged Abergeldie to deliver the Waterfall Enabling Works project, in preparation for major construction as part of the More Trains, More Services program. Abergeldie and TfNSW approached the project delivery collaboratively, working together to find solutions that will meet Sydney’s increasing demand for public transport. The Waterfall Enabling Works project included the construction of boundary retaining walls, detailed services searches, and relocation of affected services along the rail corridor.

Scope of works

Abergeldie delivered all the civil works for the project including:

  • Clearing and grubbing works. 
  • Construction of combined service route, for existing and new services. 
  • Relocation of existing water services.
  • Temporary reinforced embankment to enable main piling works.
  • Construction of two semi-contiguous retaining walls (RW1: 270m, RW2: 230m).
  • Earthworks and associated civil works including stormwater drainage.
  • Vehicle and pedestrian management for safe passage to and from the site on Princes Highway.
  • Improvement and asphalting of the access road.
  • Installation of over 400 piles between 7 and 11m in length.

Challenges with a constrained site

The Waterfall Enabling Works were delivered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The works were completed along a narrow worksite, extending approximately 1km near Princes Highway on one side and a rail corridor on the other. Adding to this challenge was the requirement to adhere to the government’s social distancing requirements whilst delivering the works.

The constrained site, bordered by Princes Highway and the active Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra train line, required continuous coordination between Sydney Trains and RMS for safe work in the live rail corridor. Abergeldie’s involvement in pre-construction planning and reinforced embankment design, alongside challenges such as unidentified latent ground conditions and service locations, demanded meticulous logistics and sequencing for safe operations on the narrow, steep embankment site. 


Expanding the rail network

The Waterfall Enabling Works have helped to cater for Sydney’s growing demand for public transport.