The Glebe foreshore walk project has opened to the public.
The final stage of the Glebe foreshore walk has been completed, delivering an uninterrupted 2.2 kilometre stretch of waterfront pathway from Bicentennial Park in the west to Bridge Road in the east.
The new link allows walkers and cyclists to pass behind the Sydney Secondary College at Blackwattle Bay and provides easier access to Wentworth Park and the Sydney Fish Market.
The works include new footpaths, planting, lighting and the reconstruction of the sea walls. The edge of the foreshore has been improved to create saltwater mangroves and endangered coastal salt marsh habitats.
Woolacotts Consulting Engineers was responsible for the structural and civil engineering design and documentation.
Project challenges
Due to the contamination along the foreshore edge, the primary project challenge was the development of new sea wall details that minimised the amount of soil disturbed and the quantity of spoil required to be removed from site.
The project was further complicated by the limited access for construction machinery. The adjacent bay water levels are very shallow immediately in front of the wall, preventing piling from being undertaken using a barge.
The structural system developed for the seawall consists of precast concrete panels, spanning horizontally between soldier piles, which extend up to nine metres deep below seabed level in order to retain the overturning earth pressures on the wall.
To minimise the extent of excavation and reduce building costs, Woolacotts engineers devised an innovative construction method for the piles. Below seabed level the piles are reinforced concrete. Above the seabed the piles consist of steel columns, encased in concrete.
Following the pouring of the concrete piles, the steel columns were bolted in place above them. The precast concrete wall panels were then lifted into position and bolted in place to the steel columns, eliminating the need for any temporary propping. Concrete encasement was then provided around the steel columns to provide long term durability to both the columns and the precast panel fixings, meeting the City of Sydney Council’s requirement for a 100 year design life.
Official opening
The foreshore walk was opened to the public by Lord Mayor Clover Moore on Saturday 25 October 2014.
It is the result of a decade-long vision and persistence from the City and local Glebe community. The City of Sydney has invested $20 million in five different stages over 10 years to transform the overgrown waterfront into a beautiful public space.
See photos from the official opening.
Woolacotts has a strong track record of delivering community infrastructure projects that meet council objectives and enhance local communities.
If you would like to find out more about our community infrastructure story, please contact our sector leader, Clare Woods.
