Mount Lindesay Highway - AECOM

Project Summary

AECOM is currently working on the upgrade of the Mount Lindesay Highway for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). This exciting project is taking place in Munruben, South East Queensland, approximately 35km south of Brisbane, and is part of the overall upgrade of the highway.

Mount Lindesay Highway serves an area that extends from Browns Plains through Beaudesert to the NSW border - a regional growth area in South East Queensland. The highway is a vital transport link and, in its current configuration, will not be able to meet the projected growth demands for the region, or maintain a safe passage for both local and long distance traffic.

The Challenge

The AECOM project was split into two stages for the detailed design and construction:
• The first stage is a new grade separated interchange with Chambers Flat Road and Crowson Lane.
• The second stage is duplicating the existing two lane, undivided highway between Rosia Road and Chambers Flat Road, to tie into the Stage 1 works.

This involves upgrading the highway to four lanes, with the provision for six lanes.

The detailed design finished in July 2010, and construction of Stage 1 was started during 2011, with works scheduled to finish in mid to late 2012.

The Solution

The concepts and detailed designs were all produced using 12d Model.

Super alignments modelled the complex interrelated geometry associated with the interchange components, and chains were used to control all design processes including the export of drawing data used to generate over 500 drawings needed to document the stage 1 and 2 designs, and design visualisations.

Where the existing highway was being upgraded, the use of the existing pavements was maximised by widening them and implementing overlays wherever the geometric constraints of the design speed allowed. Several tools within 12d simplified this process, resulting in a very efficient and cost-effective design.

Provision has been made for pedestrians and cyclists at the interchange by providing a connection across the highway. In addition, the design incorporates public transport facilities at the interchange away from the highway, which also increases safety for patrons.

As a design tool the use of 12d speed tables on the primary control alignments simplified the application of superelevation and provided the basis of the road surface which was then modified as required by the designer.

The drainage design for the project was also carried out in 12d and directly integrated via model and tin sharing to ensure the drainage designers were always working with the most up-to-date road design data.

This also allowed drainage checks to be carried out on the alignment model and provide feedback where alterations to the geometry could provide a more efficient drainage design.

The ability to create visualisations of the design by incorporating 12d visualisation techniques with chains allowed for design amendments to be automated and the visualisation outputs automatically updated.

The level of detail resulting from this technique was sufficient for the task, without needing external visualisation resources and the delay that this inevitably involves.

Design visualisations showing the completed project were provided to TMR directly from 12d Model for use in consultation with the public. They were developed to provide insights on any visual impacts the completed works would have on the current landscape.

These proved vital in assisting the public to appreciate the limited impact the completed works would have on the current environment, and helped to smooth the public consultation process.

The Result

Although the detail design drawings are the verified and certified record of the design, the 12d electronic model has been provided to TMR for their records and will be provided to the contractor to aid in the construction of the works.