Queensland Rail – North Johnstone Bridge

Queensland Rail – North Johnstone Bridge

To lift an entire live rail bridge is no easy task, but when the bridge is spanning across a river in a rural location, the task is even more challenging.

Benchmark were set the challenge to suspend a scaffolding system below the North Johnstone Rail Bridge to provide access for Queensland Rail staff and contractors to access the bridge bearings. The scaffolding was initially installed only to inspect the bearings but on further assessment the decision was made to replace them all together.

The scaffolding needed to be designed so that the spans below the bridge and the scaffolding around the headstocks were independent so that when the bridge was lifted, the scaffolding could move without needing to be modified.

Being suspended across the river, the scaffolding installation needed to consider all hazards and implement adequate controls to ensure the safety of the scaffolding crew. The proved Benchmark cantilever methodology was used to ensure the scaffold teams could work from behind handrails and from fully completed working platforms without the need to wear harnesses.