Article: River boardwalk repairs a year away

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

River boardwalk repairs a year away

River boardwalk repairs a year away
Tony Moore | January 28, 2009 - 5:14AM

Full-scale load testing on a damaged section of Brisbane's river boardwalk begins tomorrow, but the repairs are unlikely to be finished for 12 months, at a cost of up to $10 million.

A temporary walkway is likely to open in three months over the damaged walkway in front of Admiralty Quays residential tower.

In August, Transport Minister John Mickel closed about 160 metres of the boardwalk and said at the time it would be closed for three months.

Tests revealed that a panel of cement was not well poured on top of a pre-cast concrete section.

Mr Mickel closed the walkway the morning after reading the consultant's report.

Five months later, consultants will this morning take measurements to build a load-testing pool, which will sit on top of the damaged walkway.

Port of Brisbane chief engineer Bill Tranberg said a pool about three metres long and one metre deep would be built over the next week.

It's to be filled with water pumped from the river and independent consultants WorleyParsons, working for the Port of Brisbane Authority, will measure the impact on the damaged walkway.

"They were of the opinion that there were problems with the boardwalk and there certainly still are," Mr Tranberg said.

"That is why it is still closed, however before they come up with the scope of what remedial works need to be done there, they have recommended these further tests be done."

He said the issues were serious and that testing would confirm the bond between the panel and the deck.

"Initial tests showed there was very little (bonding). We are just trying to establish precisely what it is, so we know how much of the existing structure we can use."

Mr Tranberg said he hoped the temporary walkway would open in three months.

"The most optimistic thing is that it will be reopened in about three months and that might be reopened for a while - for 12 to 18 months - while the ulimate solution is worked out," he said.

The 90-metre section of the boardwalk in front of Admiralty Quays has repetitive three-metre sections of concrete panels resting on top of steel beams.

Just one section will be tested before the temporary walkway will be built, Mr Tranberg said.

Water will slowly fill the pool and from February 4, this pool will sit for 24 hours to test the reaction of the weight on the walkway.

Mr Tranberg said the results would determine a course of action.

In August, Mr Mickel, whose portfolio monitors the Port of Brisbane Authority, said the walkway may have to be ripped up.

This week Mr Mickel's office said it had no knowledge of any further work.

Admiralty Quays body corporate staff yesterday declined to answer questions, however brisbanetimes.com.au understands the residential tower complex rejects responsibility for the damaged walkway, saying it leases the land from the Port of Brisbane Authority. A major legal dispute is underway.

Mr Tranberg declined to answer any questions about the legal dispute.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
28/01/2009

Load testing of closed section of City Reach boardwalk commences

The State Government is continuing to work through complex tenure issues associated with the management and maintenance of the City Reach boardwalk, as preparations for load testing of a closed section of the boardwalk commenced this week.

Transport Minister John Mickel said today the complexity of the issues involved meant a quick and simple solution was not possible.

"The closure has been longer than anticipated as we have had to steer a careful course between competing priorities of public access, public safety and an appropriate outcome to the legal and land tenure issues involved."

Mr Mickel said the State Government had been conferring with the body corporate of the Admiralty Quays apartment block adjacent to the boardwalk and other stakeholders over the repair or replacement of the closed section.

"The Port of Brisbane Corporation has been working hard to find the best solution to the issues, liaising with Admiralty Quays body corporate, the Brisbane City Council and a number of State Government departments.

"At the same time, the Port of Brisbane has also been working on a temporary solution to allow the section to be safely reopened while a permanent solution is identified."

Mr Mickel said the nature and extent of the temporary solution required would be determined by load testing scheduled for Wednesday of next week.

The testing involves placing a gradually-increasing weight load on the boardwalk, and leaving the full load in place for 24 hours. The test will help determine what repairs are required to ensure the safe operation of the boardwalk.

Subject to the outcome of the load testing, it is envisaged that a temporary structure could be placed over the existing deck, which would allow public access in approximately three months.

"While the closure has not been ideal, it has been necessary," Mr Mickel said. "We won't be rushing to reopen this section of the boardwalk until all our concerns are addressed."

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