The Homebush Bay Bridge, linking the suburbs of Rhodes and Wentworth Point, officially broke ground on Monday, 1 September, marking the ceremonial commencement of construction.
The AU$43m bridge will cater for pedestrian and cycle traffic, public buses and emergency services, with a future provision for light rail. It will also provide residents of Wentworth Point with access to Rhodes railway station – shortening the distance from 7km to 1km.
Arup has guided the 300m bridge through early conceptual design, environmental impact statements, and detailed design and construction over a 10 year period. The bridge has fixed tie in points to align with the upcoming town centre development at Wentworth Point, requiring a form that angles over the bay and raised connections to integrate with buildings and walkways. Long spans were chosen to reduce the necessary supporting piers, maintaining rowing lanes and preventing the unnecessary disturbance of Homebush Bay’s bed.
“A project of the complexity of the Homebush Bay Bridge represents a unique engineering opportunity – a standalone, long span bridge in a highly constrained urban environment. Arup’s holistic involvement has helped us shape the best outcomes for the Rhodes and Wentworth Point communities.
James Naylor, Project Director, Arup
Representing a forward thinking approach to infrastructure, the project is being delivered under a Voluntary Planning Agreement between the NSW Government and the Wentworth Point Landowners Alliance Group. The bridge, expected to be completed in early 2016, promotes the sustainable growth of two of Western Sydney’s fastest growing communities.