Mandurah Bridge demolition wins global award

West Perth-based Mainline Demolition and Georgiou Group have claimed an international award for their demolition of the Old Mandurah Bridge last year. 

The joint submission won the civil category of the World Demolition Awards in Dublin earlier this month.

The 192-metre structure was demolished to make way for a replacement bridge, which was opened in April this year.

Georgiou Group was lead contractor for the overall project, after securing a $51.8 million contract from Main Roads Western Australia to decommission the old bridge, and design and construct a new bridge over the Mandurah Estuary,

Mainline used its custom-made roller flotation airbags to transport large concrete elements, and also developed a specialised cutting machine that was capable of cutting below seabed.

The project eliminated crane use and minimised manual handling operations via the use of an excavator and mechanical attachments for forklifts and front-end loaders.

“The aged condition of the structure, the rapid, variable tidal flows of the estuary, the live traffic and active inner urban shorelines presented many operational challenges,” the submission said.

“The project required constant management of water traffic, the public, and interface with the responsible authorities.”

Mainline was established in 1982 and provides demolition services to the civil, commercial, industrial and mining industries.