LACHLAN’S LINE SPANS RYDE
06 Nov 2018
Currently under construction in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde, a $40 million cycling and pedestrian bridge featuring a complex flat-plate steel helix structure will provide a place for users to cross safely over some of Sydney’s busiest motorways.
The bridge will cross Delhi Road and the Hills M2 motorway. It will connect Macquarie Park, North Ryde railway station and the Lachlan’s Line residential development in Macquarie Park. Landcom is the NSW government’s land and development organisation and is behind both Lachlan’s Line and the bridge.
The transit-oriented development, currently under construction, will eventually contain approximately 2700 homes housing 5000 people on a nine-hectare site adjacent to the railway line between Macquarie Park and North Ryde stations.
A unique, helix-shaped bridge design was chosen to mark the gateway to Landcom’s Lachlan’s Line urban precinct with an inspiring, unique structure. The $40 million bridge has been designed by architect KI Studio and structural engineering firm Arup and will require innovative fabrication and construction methods. 
Construction has been awarded as a joint venture between Arenco and the Daracon Group, with western Sydney-based steel fabricator S&L Steel, sub-contracted for the fabrication of the structure. Sections of the bridge are now being fabricated offsite, and onsite construction will start with the bridge supports later this year.
Landcom chief John Brogden said, “I’d like to congratulate bridge architect KI Studio and structural engineering firm Arup for coming up with this elegant and bold visual statement. It’s sinuous, fluid form gives it a sculptural quality, and the bridge will be very noticeable, with its blue spiralling truss design.
“Thousands of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will interact with this engineering marvel each day, which is another example of Landcom’s commitment to providing high quality, safe infrastructure for residents of our developments and the wider community.” 
Construction is expected to cause some disruption to motorists at various times due to temporary lane closures with the majority of construction to be largely undertaken at night and spans are expected to be completed in late 2019.
