03 November 2011- With 12 speakers at this year’s Austroads Bridge Conference, taking place in Sydney on 31 October – 5 November, Aurecon will highlight several ways it is applying technical excellence and innovation to answer many of the challenges in bridge engineering today.

According to Aurecon, bridge design and engineering globally is addressing a range of issues including adaptation to changing methods of project delivery, effectively linking sustainability as a key input into bridge type and materials selection, better provisioning for whole of life cost and the need for more effective asset management.

“Longevity of bridges is more critical now than ever, with clients looking to prolong the life of a functional bridge rather than replace it. Durability is equally important in new bridge design, as is providing a low maintenance structure,” said John Hilton, Aurecon Technical Director, Bridges.

He added: “Aurecon engineers look at ways to maximise value, to do this we draw on our global experience to leverage sound applied ideas to tackle new problems. This approach reflects in the number of papers we will be presenting.”

The Austroads Bridge Conference is held every 2-3 years and is regarded as the premier bridge conference in Australia and New Zealand.

During the event Aurecon will be presenting the following papers:

• ANZAC Bridge Maintenance Project
• A practical method for determining the geometry of a double-inclined circular curve for use in incrementally launched bridges
• Design of Peninsula Link Integral Bridges
• Developments in earthquake loading
• Implementation of a Bridge Management System for Dubai
• Manuka Memorial Gardens Arch Bridge
• Peninsula Link - Frankston Stony Point Railway Bridge
• Recent developments in the construction of cable stayed bridges which have enabled the engineer to design stunning landmark structures
• Remediation of bridges after the Queensland January 2011 Flood
• Seaford Rail Viaduct – launching a kilometre
• Structural health monitoring of critical civil infrastructure
• Tharwa Timber Truss Bridge

Aurecon is currently working on or has completed a number of stunning global bridge projects including the renewal of existing bridge assets. These projects include:

• ANZAC Cable Stayed Bridge Refurbishment – Australia
• Gates of Haast Balanced Cantilever/Cable Stayed Bridge – New Zealand
• Gautrain Viaduct – South Africa 
• Nelson Mandela Bridge – South Africa
• Sydney Harbour Bridge Refurbishment – Australia
• VIP Racecourse Bridge – Dubai

“Our technical strengths are second to none – this coupled with a well-integrated global team inspire unique innovations and cost-effective solutions tailored to meet various client needs. When you hire one of our bridge engineers, you hire them all,” said Hilton.