Design, Construction, Operation 70 metre air draught 2.5km main span, 5km long Habitable Suspension Road-Rail Bridge

INTRODUCTION

Port Phillip Bay is located on the southern coast line of Victoria, Australia with Melbourne, Victoria’s capital situated at its northern end. The bay north to south is about 57 km long and about the same width, having a shore line of 263 km.

We are proposing to design, construct and operate a major infrastructure project bridging the mouth of this bay by connecting the tips of the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas. The project will incorporate a 5.7 kilometre suspension road-rail bridge with a 2.5 kilometre main span. The bridge, located 1.6km in from the RIP at the mouth of Port Phillip Bay, will have a clearance for ships of 70 metres height. The project schedule envisaged is for:-

• feasibility study to start June 1998,
• environmental survey to start 3rd quarter 1998,
• geological survey work to start 4th quarter 1998,
• main construction starting earliest 2000, at the latest 2005,
• completion date for the rail and bridge will be end of 2015.

Geologically Port Phillip Bay is graben formed probably during the Palaeozoic period between two near parallel fault lines trending NNE-SSW. During the late Quaternary the bay was probably a river valley fed at the northern end by many rivers including the Yarra. This valley drained south through the heads into Bass Strait which due to the ice age at the time, was dry. During the late Quaternary strong south westerly winds blew the sand size shells grains and fine sands on shore from the exposed continental shelf. This sand formed dunes that became the tips of the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas. Some of the sand formed the highly variable sandy limestones found at the heads. Today on the Mornington side this sandy tip forms a 24 km long bay mouth bar reducing the mouth of the bay to just 3.8km.

This infrastructure is being proposed to provide:-

• a CONTINUOUS main transportation link between the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas ( the bridge proper ),
• MAJOR INTERNATIONAL and NATIONAL tourist attractions,.
• a PRIME catalyst for the Southern Coastal regions of Victoria to experience much needed industrial, commercial and tourism GROWTH

Port Phillip Bay “RIP” has been a barrier to expanding development, trade, tourism & communications between the south eastern and south western districts of Melbourne since Melbourne’s founding circa 1835. “Heads” linkage proposals have been raised in bygone years, the most recent was that of a unique laminated timber bridge.  

The project will be UNIQUE in many ways including:-

1. the bridge will cross the most treacherous deep water port entrance in the world, providing some of the most stunning coastal and marine scenic views in Australia
2. the dual 3 lane freeway, pedestrian footpath & cycle ways on the upper deck and 2 lanes on the enclosed lower deck. Special design concepts are being investigated to make the bridge a full Over Dimensional (OD) route for trucks. Super “B double” trucks would be permitted to travel across the bridge under supervision. On rare occasions ultra heavy OD vehicles could cross, during which time the bridge may be briefly closed, for safety reasons, to all other users.
3. the inclusion of a two dual gauge rail lines, one on the upper deck, the other on the lower deck A main broad gauge rail link is planned to connect Geelong to Frankston, serviced by high speed rail cars. The rail link would also allow Steam Tourist trains to circle the Port Phillip bay. Standard gauge heavy rail freight would be permitted across the bridge at limited times on the 2nd gauge of the lower deck standard gauge track. Narrow gauge trains from the Bellarine Peninsula Railway would cross the bridge on 2nd gauge of the other Broad gauge track
4. on the Mornington Peninsula side, the bridge approach will pass through 4 km of national park. This park is one of Australia’s more unusual, containing many unique treasures from Victoria’s past.
5. a tourist cable car system will be installed connecting both Peninsulas. The planned route will be from Queenscliff, travelling via the western anchorage, up to the top of the western tower, then across to the top of the eastern tower, down to the eastern anchorage, and finally on to Portsea, and return.
6. public viewing areas will be provided on top of both main towers serviced by the tourist cable cars and/or by high speed elevators that would be accessible from the lower deck. Possibly a private shuttle bus, travelling on the lower deck may service these elevators.
7. enclosed underwater marine viewing areas at the base of towers & anchorages on both sides will be included. Also underwater viewing tubes may extend out in a number of directions, allowing people access to this newly created marine park. It may be possible to include safe diving areas around the bridge
8. located on top of each main cable anchorage will be 24 hr access multi-purpose multi-level public areas for lease, including an enclosed 360° clear hemispherical domed area at the top It is possible these areas could be used for restaurants, a hotel, time-share accommodation, etc
9. provide access for land based Emergency services to support both peninsulas in a crisis. Ie. ambulances, fire brigade, police, CFA etc.
10. provide access for land based services to cross The RIP. (phones, power, etc. )
11. provide access for certain land based services to be located at The RIP. These could include:- navigational and communications equipment used by the Port Phillip Sea Pilots, including a location for one of their operation rooms permitting direct visual monitoring of vessels entering and leaving Port Phillip Bay. Communications - antenna facilities for other companies could be include
12. The bridge will be designed to withstand an earthquake of at least magnitude 8.5 on the Richter scale and winds as appropriate to the region.
13. The bridge will be designed account for issues created by:-

• Global Warming
• Year Three Thousand (3000) compliance. ie by the possible use of composite materials it will endure time
• There are other innovative components to this project that are still under review at this stage, and will be discussed in detail at a future time including :
• tidal-wind-solar power generation,
• flood and pollution controls;
• special subdued bridge lighting,
• dynamic deck stabilisation
• etc.

Envisaged Ramification of this Project.

Initially this project will allow the 24hr unrestricted flow of vehicle traffic between the two peninsulas. It will allow tourists the ability to drive from Portland in the west through the coastal areas to Torquay and/or Geelong, over the bridge then and onto Gippsland in the east.

This is only one of the principal reasons for the linkage. It is envisaged that many major changes will take place on both sides of Port Phillip Bay as a direct result.

No longer will the geography of the bay pose a barrier to the expansion of its population especially around its southern regions. For a start it will allow residents south of Melbourne on both sides easy access to the services of the other, without having to fight their way through Melbourne’s inner city areas.

For instance, the potential for the major centres of Dandenong and Geelong to directly interact is huge.

This includes access to such things as new work places, a greater diversity of schools and universities, more diverse shopping, larger range of hospitals, after care, nursing and old age homes, banks, service facilities.

The bridge will provide easier and quicker access to major cinemas, leisure and holiday locations like world class golf courses, surf beaches, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island penguins, Wilsons Promontory, etc.

Major housing and business centres could open up around Geelong, Frankston, and in fact around the two Peninsulas. Areas that are currently viewed as holiday housings could become permanent residential location for their owners.

The ability of emergency services to cross the bridge allows a greater security for businesses and residents on both peninsulas.

The addition of the Victorian broad gauge rail link from Frankston to Geelong will greatly aid the flow of tourist and residents alike. The ability to travel by rail completely around the bay in either direction will have a flow on effect in many ways.

Further, the standard gauge rail line from Hastings through Geelong linking with the National rail network will give rise to new local business opportunities and allow the Port of Geelong better access to Australia. One may find that in time, this rail link might be extended from Hastings to Gippsland

The bridge would also be beneficial if, Victoria’s 2nd International Airport were to be established within, short and easy driving distance of the bridge and the southern coast of Victoria. This airport could included a major technology park and other features.

Then there are the work skills and construction facilities that will be required to build the bridge. These should not be lost but placed into new projects upon the bridge’s completion. Who knows maybe we could link Victoria via King island to Tasmania by tunnel, bridge Hastings to Phillip Island, or at least connect all our disjointed freeways.

And, of course the bridge with is unique features will be a major attraction in its own right. The tourists that specifically come to visit it should also be encouraged to travel on to other locations around Victoria and Australia.

The Bridge will become a very Major International Symbol of Victoria.

With a 2.5km main span it is believed that the bridge, upon completion, will be the longest suspension bridge in the world. Currently the longest road bridge is 1.990km.

Since major undersea constructional works will take place during the construction of the bridge, it is our intention to evaluate the cost of increasing the depth of the “Great Ship Channel” at The RIP during this time. It may be worth deepening the West or Symonds Channels to allow a “straight line” entry to the port. This has, as yet not been reviewed any further.

Whichever path is taken Major commercial advantages for Melbourne would result by allowing the world’s largest container, military and cruise vessels to enter the Ports of Melbourne & Geelong.

Summary

By using proven current engineering technology to span the navigational channels at the RIP, the construction of the bridge and its associated infrastructure poses no insurmountable problems.

The environmental and conservation issues we believe can be resolved successfully to enable this project to be completed by the year 2015.

We trust any problems associated with Government, Commercial or Private issues, will not delay the start of this project.

It is expected that the bridge will generate its revenue from its many sources, not just the basic commuter traffic flow business unit. 

BASE REFERENCE MATERIAL

• Hydrographic Survey, Hydrographic Services R.A.N. Chart AUS 143 covering Port Phillip Bay at 1:100,000 at latitude 38° 05￠ and sub chart “The RIP” at 1:25000.
• Geological Survey of Victoria Map No 867 Zone 7 SORRENTO at 1:63,360
• Geological Survey of Victoria Map No 858 Zone 7 PORTARLINGTON at 1:63,360
• Topographic Survey by Royal Australian Survey Core Sheet 7821 (edition 1) Map Series 652 at 1:100,000
• Geology of Mineral Deposits of Australia And Papua New Guinea, 1990

ISBN 0 949106 53 4. Including 1:500,0000 map in rear jacket vol. 1

• Survey report 1974 No 3 “The geology of the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port” by J. J. Jenkins, rev dated 1979
• Map of PORT PHILLIP surveyed by C Grimes Act. Surveyor General dated 1803
• Marine, Coastal & Estuarine Investigation, Interim Report Environment Conservation Council, February 1998
• Marine and Coastal, Special Investigation Draft Final Recommendations June 1996
• Mornington Peninsula National Park & Arthurs Seat State Park Draft Management Plan, National Resources and Environment. November 1996
• Geothermal Resources of Victoria Dept of Industry, Technology & Resources 1998
• Groundwater Resources Victoria Dept Minerals & Energy 1:1,000,000 Map 1982
• Transport Melbourne, A strategic framework for an integrated transport system in Melbourne. September 1996
• Tourism Victoria. Strategic Business Plan 1997-2001 Building Partnerships
• Victoria in Future 1996-2001 isbn 0-7306 8661-2
• Wrecks in the RIP by Jack Loney isbn 0 909191 04 2
• Bridge Design and Engineering Issues 1-10
• Proceedings of the International Conference on Long Span Bridges - Indonesia 1997
• Bridges - Three Thousand Years of Defying Nature by David Brown isbn 1 85732 163 4
• A wide range of engineering and construction publications and literature