Mandurah Bridge

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A 243m long, six span, incrementally launched, post-tensioned concrete structure, curved in plan and elevation, supporting four traffic lanes. An important landmark that fulfils a strong community desire for close association with the water, featuring a lowered shared path, viewing and fishing platforms. 

Judge's comment:

The judges were delighted by the simple elegance of this attractive but unusual concrete box girder design. The curvature of the plan form and soffit cross section has been well conceived and detailed to create a very pleasing solution. The engineers have turned what could have been an ordinary, mediocre and dull bridge into something delightful, and have thereby created a popular new landmark for the city of Mandurah. 

This is a good example of what can be achieved by due care and attention being applied consistently throughout the design and detailing stages, taking due account of the most suitable and efficient construction methods throughout. By careful detailing of the cross section, the pre-stressing arrangements have been simplified, and the result is a truly elegant, durable and economic structure. 

The judges particularly liked the way the bridge engages with the waterside environment in an integrated way. The low level shared path not only provides a safe and pleasant environment for pedestrians using the bridge, separating them from vehicles using the road, but also acts as a natural spectator platform for watching regattas and boating events.