Challenges overcome at cliff-side location of Jacksons Landing connects residents and visitors...
- Client
- Leichhardt Municipal Council (now Inner West Council)
- State
- New South Wales
A smart solution to keep local pedestrians and cyclists safer.
At Leichhardt’s Hawthorne Canal Reserve, dogs and cyclists could never see eye to eye. Cyclists passing through the reserve on the bike path were constantly chased by dogs, and the local council had to find a solution.
Following a competitive tender process, FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) was engaged to design and construct a cycle/pedestrian bridge downstream of the reserve, allowing cyclists to bypass the reserve altogether and pedal without fear of canine pursuit!
Our involvement.
The project called upon FORGE’s (formerly Fleetwood Urban) wide-ranging experience in planning, design, construction and installation.
One of the key tasks was to deliver the access ramp on the knoll cliff face for the general public as well as maintenance vehicles. This required detailed surveying to determine the most suitable foundation/connection points for the structurally-critical rock anchoring.
The ramp was then constructed off site by FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) and installed using multiple cranes. Smaller crawler cranes were also used to install the Knoll Remnants, public artworks designed by JMD Design. We took their designs forward through engineering and completed the installation with structural and soft landscaping elements including precast concrete, steel and timber. FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) was also responsible for managing the lighting infrastructure and the landscaping of the site.
Design Challenge
Given the beauty of the surrounding parklands, the bridge needed to be more than just a functional structure. Leichhardt Municipal Council (now Inner West Council) wanted a design that was visually-pleasing for the local community with clean lines and unassuming aesthetic.
Construction Challenge
The main challenge was identifying a solution that would meet Csouncil’s design vision whilst also maximising the available budget. It was also essential to deliver the project in a timely and efficient way that minimised community disruption.
Features
- 28 metre span truss bridge
- DDA accessible
- Designed to cycleway guidelines
- Full childproof balustrades
- Concrete approaches and path connections
- Non slip decking
Safety and Risk Considerations
Work was completed off-site wherever possible. However the project still required construction and assembly works to take place in a public place with a high level of cycle and pedestrian activity. Working over water and the use of cranes also required careful safety planning.
Sustainability Considerations
Highly durable coatings were applied to all materials to reduce the need for ongoing maintenance, and minimise future disruptions to the local habitat.
