Campbells Creek - Fryers Road bridges

The culverts, guard rails and road pavement on the two bridges on Campbells Creek Fryers Road Campbells Creek have now been completed allowing the road to be reopened to traffic. The load limits have been removed as has the heavy vehicle detour.

We have unfortunately had to undertake some redesign of the walkway on the bridge nearest to Eleanor Drive which is delaying completion. Work has therefore temporally stopped whilst the redesign is being completed. Once ready, construction work will recommence on the walkways at both bridge locations. This work will be performed behind the existing guard rail meaning there will be no disruption to traffic.

The proposed walkways and boardwalks that are currently being designed will be available to view once they are complete.

View the Southern Bridge design.

View the Northern Bridge design.

This project involves the replacement of two bridges which are located just north and south of Hawkins Road opposite the Recreation Reserve on Campbells Creek - Fryers Road.

Campbells Creek - Fryers Road is a Link Road and traffic count data shows that there are in excess of 800 vehicles per day using the bridges. In 2017 the bridges were inspected and found to be in poor condition, both were recommended for replacement.

The new bridges are now in place which has allowed us to remove the load limits as well as the detour for heavy vehicles.

The new bridges comply with today’s standards for road and bridge construction. It is anticipated that the life of the bridges will then be 80 to 100 years.

There is no intent to change the current speed limit of 50 kph along Campbells Creek Fryers Road following completion of this project.

The design of the bridges includes:

• Large culverts which will allow for a slightly greater flow of water (than is currently available) and thereby help reduce the risk of flooding.
• Rock beaching to reduce the likelihood of erosion.
• Adequately provision for increased use caused by any future residential developments planned in the area.
• Pedestrian pathways across both bridges to remove pinch points and the need for pedestrians to traverse the lanes of traffic, and to enable connectivity to future planned pathways along Campbells Creek Fryers Road.

Please note that Council is continuing to advocate for funding for a pathway from Campbells Creek to the Recreational Reserve as a priority identified in the current Walking and Cycling Strategy. The pathway section from the recreational reserve to the bridges (and beyond) are yet to be designed.

The design has been completed in accordance with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) permit conditions.

We are happy to report that the large Manna gum tree located next to the northern bridge has been saved by the use of hydro excavation under an arborist’s supervision whilst excavating for the foundations for the bridge. The gum trees located near the southern bridge will also remain as construction work will not interfere or effect any of these trees.

The sandstone blocks have been removed and stored so that they can be reused on future projects in Campbells Creek.

This is a design and construct project. It is being delivered by ACE Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ACE).

The design and construction of the bridges (using culverts) has now been completed with the guard rail also having been installed.

Design work is continuing in relation to the walkway for the southern bridge and the proposed boardwalks that are adjacent to this bridge.

Construction work has paused whilst redesign of the walkway continues on the second of the two bridges.

It is anticipated that, weather permitting, the project will be completed by the end of June 2021.

Graeme Barnes - Project Manager
Email: g.barnes@mountalexander.vic.gov.au