A massive crane has arrived in Canberra to assist with the construction of the Molonglo River Bridge, marking a significant milestone in the project.
This crane, which reaches an impressive height of 143 metres, is among the tallest to ever be used in Canberra, standing even taller than the well-known Parliament House.
Transporting this giant piece of machinery was no small feat. Over 100 semi-trailers were required to bring the crane parts to the site. Assembly of the crane took nearly three weeks to complete, highlighting the complexity and scale of the operation.
The crane is a marvel of engineering, capable of lifting steel beams that measure up to 80 metres in length—almost as long as four basketball courts laid end to end. Remarkably, it can handle weights of up to 1,600 tonnes, equivalent to about 260 elephants!
Due to the crane’s operations, Coppins Crossing Road has been temporarily closed for up to three weeks to facilitate the safe lifting of steel girders into place for the bridge. For those interested in observing this engineering spectacle, it’s best to park at the Namarag Reserve carpark off Thancoupie Crescent. However, it’s important to follow safety guidelines by not venturing beyond designated barriers or stopping on the still-closed road.
The Molonglo River Bridge is set to become Australia’s longest weathering steel bridge, at 200 metres long, and the tallest road bridge in Canberra upon completion. It aims to enhance connectivity between suburbs in the Molonglo Valley and the Belconnen area, catering to the region’s growth.
The project commenced in January 2024 and has progressed with the completion of foundational and substructural works. The superstructure is currently being constructed. The bridge is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT governments under the Commonwealth’s Investment Road and Rail Program.