'Bargey McBargeface' to help build North Bank bridge

Published on 30 November 2017

A 17m-long 'jack up' barge will arrive in Launceston today to assist with pile driving for the new North Bank pedestrian and cycle bridge.

BridgePro Engineering's specially designed barge, the SeaJack, is made up of four modular units which can separate into two barges, allowing it to work at two separate sites.

In recent months, the SeaJack has been used in its split form for infrastructure works across two sites — at the Leven River near Ulverstone, as well as at Beauty Point.

However, the SeaJack, affectionately nicknamed 'Bargey McBargeface' by Council engineers, will take its full 17m by 14m form for the North Bank pedestrian bridge project.

The barge carries a crane and four winches, necessary to manoeuvre 24m-long steel piles required for the project, with each pile weighing more than 3.8 tonnes.

In this configuration the barge can carry nearly 150 tonnes and, using four stilts, can raise itself to a height of 18m above the river bed to counter the effects of tide or weather, if necessary.

Over coming weeks, 'Bargey' will help drive 12 steel piles for the 120m-long pedestrian bridge, which will link to the redeveloped North Bank site from the Seaport.

Around 150 tonnes of locally manufactured steel will be used for the project.

When complete, the bridge will provide a new link to the major new recreational area and all-abilities playground that will soon begin construction at North Bank.

The North Bank redevelopment will boast a 12m-tall Skywalk, as well as wild core play areas, barbecue facilities, an event space, sports court, amenities, and much more.

Pile driving is expected to be complete before Christmas.

Work will then move to the North Bank abutment in late January, before the assembly of the bridge superstructure begins in March.

The bridge is expected to be complete by June.