Mammoet Installs Massive 300-Tonne Structure at Port of Brisbane
Mammoet, a global leader in engineered heavy lifting and transport, achieved a remarkable feat by successfully installing a massive structure at the Port of Brisbane. This 300-tonne, 80-meter-long installation required careful planning and execution. The structure had to be lifted, transported along the Brisbane River, and then installed onto its foundation over Breakfast Creek. This project was a crucial part of the construction of the Breakfast Creek Bridge, a joint venture undertaken by Brady Marine & Civil Pty Ltd and Georgiou Group Pty Ltd (GBJV), commissioned by the Brisbane City Council.
Ensuring the stability of the structure during transportation and installation was paramount, as was minimizing disruption to marine traffic. Tight schedules had to be adhered to, and stringent safety and environmental standards upheld throughout the process. Every aspect was analyzed – from the weight, dimensions, and configuration of the bridge to the selection of appropriate equipment, including environmental and logistical considerations.
Mammoet's engineers conducted extensive feasibility studies to determine the best approach for the bridge installation before tailoring a solution precisely to the project's unique requirements. The team meticulously planned the best route for transporting the structure, managing the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) operation, and overseeing the installation process, while mitigating risks throughout the process.
The project unfolded in a carefully planned sequence of phases: mobilisation and equipment set-up at the Port of Brisbane marked the beginning. Here, the structure was raised to a suitable transport height using a series of climbing jacks, ranging from 100t to 150t and placed onto a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) configuration.
With the structure safely secured on 32 axle lines of SPMT, it was transferred onto a barge via a RORO operation, ready for marine transport from the Port of Brisbane upriver to Breakfast Creek.
Upon arrival and positioning of the barge, timed to coincide with the beginning of the outgoing tide, the load was carefully lowered onto pre-set temporary supports, using the SPMTs. Leveraging the SPMT’s maneuverability, the team ensured precise positioning and facilitated the lowering onto Mammoet's temporary supports, enabling the release of the barge. Employing 150-tonne climbing jacks, the bridge was then carefully lowered onto a tailor-made alignment frame, ensuring precise positioning of the structure onto its bearings. Once the surveyor gave the sign-off, confirming the positioning, the 250-tonne low-profile jacks lowered the bridge onto its foundation. Throughout all the phases, safety and compliance was paramount, ensuring stability even amidst fluctuating tides.
The result was a flawless installation, completed on time with minimal disruption to the local marine and no impact on adjacent road traffic. The bridge, now officially inaugurated as the Breakfast Creek / Yowoggera Bridge, serves as a vital link in Brisbane's infrastructure. Thousands of residents and visitors benefit from the extended Lores Bonney Riverwalk, enjoying enhanced commuting and leisure opportunities along the riverbanks. It will also play a major role during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, providing a key active transport connection to the athletes’ village at Northshore Hamilton.
Mammoet has been leveraging its extensive expertise in bridge installation projects worldwide, including the Matagarup Bridge over the Swan River in Perth, the Danube Bridge in Linz, Austria, the Wellsburg Bridge in Western Virginia, and many others.