A massive mobile crane is helping deliver drainage improvements as part of the Epping Road upgrade.
The upgrade’s biggest crane yet has a lifting capacity of 450 tonnes, equal to 210 dual cab Utes, according to Major Road Projects Victoria.
The big rig is helping build culverts under Epping and Lehmanns roads as part of the upgrade.
Culverts are concrete box pipes that allow water to flow under roads, trails and railways and provide an effective way to manage stormwater. The pipes drain water to nearby creeks or rivers, preventing flooding of roadways and surrounding areas.
The crane’s incredible boom length allows it to reach over Findon Creek’s steep and wide embankments to lift culvert units into place. The crane’s enormous lifting capacity is essential to handling the heavy concrete culvert units with its boom extended.
MRPV said each culvert comprises the culvert units and link slabs. The units form the channel, while the slabs sit above to support vehicles crossing the culverts.
Each unit weighs up to 11.24 tonnes, or as much as two Indian elephants. The link slabs weigh up to 5.1 tonnes, which is more than two white rhinos.
The team will install 30 units and 18 slabs to build the two culverts. The units and slabs total 429 tonnes, almost the weight of 7 E-class trams.
The project team has also installed temporary pumps and 900 metres of pipes to redirect creek flows while building the culverts. The team will remove the pumps and pipes after completing the culverts, restoring the creek’s usual water course.
Work on the culverts began in July and is due for completion later this year.
MRPV program director Adrian Furner said the crane was helping crews safely complete the work.
“We thank the community and all users of Epping and Lehmanns roads for their patience as we complete this essential work,” he said.
The Epping Road upgrade is adding lanes in each direction between Craigieburn Road East and Memorial Avenue. It will also improve six intersections and connections for pedestrians and cyclists.
MPRV said the upgrade will provide safer, more-reliable journeys for the 35,000 drivers who use Epping Road daily.
The work is due for completion in 2025.
Details: bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/mrpv/epping-road-upgrade.
