Interspan Heavy Lifting

Innovative Heavy Lifting for ACT Bridge

Completed in 1895, Tharwa Bridge is the oldest bridge in the Australian Capital Territory and the oldest surviving Allan Truss bridge in Australia.
Extensive strengthening works were undertaken in 2008, including the replacement of original truss members.

To facilitate these works, the bridge deck was supported by a temporary underslung steel-beam assembly spanning beneath the four truss spans — each over 27 metres in length.

Interspan’s Role

Interspan proposed and executed a bespoke heavy-lifting methodology to install and dismantle the temporary underslung steel-beam system.
The innovative strand-lifting solution provided a cost-effective and efficient approach while ensuring the preservation of the bridge’s heritage fabric and structural integrity throughout the process.

Interspan’s precision lifting methodology enabled safe and controlled works on one of Australia’s most historically significant bridges — combining modern engineering with the careful preservation of heritage infrastructure.

Read more about Interspan’s Lifting and Jacking

Project Details

General contractor:  Arenco

Customer/Owner: Territory & Municipal Services (ACT Roads)

Work Period:  2008

Solution: Heavy Lifting

Interspan Heavy Lifting

GLOBAL LEADER IN SPECIALISED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Interspan delivers efficient, durable and sustainable solutions across bridges, tanks, buildings, ports and energy infrastructure — helping clients optimise structural performance, reduce costs, and lower embodied carbon in construction.

Our expertise spans post-tensioning, structural strengthening and specialised concrete technologies, applied across both new and existing structures.

By integrating engineering design, construction methodology and material efficiency, we deliver technically robust outcomes that enhance safety, service life and overall project value.

EXISTING STRUCTURES

External post-tensioning is a proven active strengthening method for upgrading existing structures, including bridges, buildings and tanks. It involves installing prestressing cables or bars outside the structural section, guided by deviators along the most effective load path.

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Replacing bearings and expansion joints is essential to restore performance and extend the service life of ageing bridges and civil structures. Upgrading these components restores the structure’s ability to accommodate movement, rotation, and stress, improving durability and long-term serviceability.

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Jacking and structural monitoring are both critical parts of any safe load transfer process and require expert engineering guidance.

Interspan designs custom solutions for diverse projects where precision loading/unloading and monitoring of structural elements are required.

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Forensic services are often utilised to assess potential compliance issues between the approved structural documentation and
the built structure. We utilise both non-destructive and destructive testing methods to understand the composition of existing structures.

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Over the last decade, Interspan has developed proven epoxy-based, retrofitted Tendon Truncation procedures that ensure post-tensioned tendon forces can be safely transferred into the remaining structure.

Our teams have decades of experience with post-tensioned structures, and we know how and where to use truncations as well as how to install them safely.

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We have significant experience with structural grouting, and our pumps can mix and place proprietary grouts with or without cementitious or epoxy-based aggregate.

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Corrosion is one of the most common and expensive durability issues stakeholders encounter in both building and civil structures.

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We understand structures. We know why they crack and how to fix them. Our experienced teams design custom solutions to address any kind of crack that emerges. Typically, a crack is the symptom of a problem, not the cause.

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We promote innovative, proven solutions utilising various CFRP-based strengthening techniques depending on the nature of strengthening required for your project. Our knowledge and experience in this area are second to none, and we’re extremely proud of the work our teams do every day.

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We provide solutions for all types of concrete repair. Whether it is due to deterioration, carbonation, damage, or defective concrete, we put forward a remediation solution to ensure the section’s durability and strength are fully reinstated.

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NEW STRUCTURES

Innovative construction methodologies enable works to be completed outside the critical path in a safe and controlled environment. This approach reduces project costs and schedules, improves safety, and minimises disruption.

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Interspan has extensive experience in the supply and installation of post-tensioning works in bridges, using state-of-the-art equipment to apply uniform stress to the separate strands of the tendon simultaneously.

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Lifting and jacking operations are essential when prefabricated elements or existing structures need to be moved, raised, or installed with precision.

These techniques reduce reliance on heavy craneage, minimise risks, and enable construction in challenging environments or tight timeframes.

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Stress bar post-tensioning systems provide a cost-effective solution for applying post-tensioning forces to short, straight tendons without requiring any profiles.

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Through effective design, post-tensioned slabs enable material and embodied carbon reductions versus a conventionally reinforced slab, while maintaining the inherent benefits of concrete construction.

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