AIL Mining partnered on a mine site infrastructure project to replace a 60 m span steel girder bridge that had been damaged during severe “once-in-500-years” flooding. The team had a 12-month window and, thanks to the concerted efforts of all project partners, the bridge was up and running within eight months.
April 2009: Scoping, Proposals
Consultation began in early April. Project deadline was December 1, 2009. The consulting engineers chose twin Super-Cor Arches due to very favourable cost, completion time and performance factors.
Late June 2009: Project Awarded
The Super-Cor Arches were ordered in late June for an early September delivery.
July–August, 2009: Manufacture Super-Cor, Prepare Site
Detailed design and manufacturing of Super-Cor components took place at our Australian licensee’s facility. In preparing the site, the contractor encountered bedrock problems and the project fell slightly behind schedule. Wall design and commercials went well into July. The MSE Structural Wall System components were ordered on July 24 for a mid-September delivery.
September, 2009: Assemble Super-Cor Arches
Despite a very tight turnaround time, the components arrived on schedule. Both structures were built in less than three weeks, including grouting the ribs, bringing us back on track.
October, November, 2009: Walls, Backfill, Railway Construction
Wall panels arrived on-site in mid-September, on schedule. Track-laying crews connected the line on schedule, and the first loaded train went across on time.
December 1, 2009: Project Completed
If a conventional bridge had been chosen instead of the Super-Cor structures, the project would have been extended by at least an additional four months.
