Project Name:   Eastlink Trail

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Application: General Paving

EastLink is a tolled section of the M3 freeway linking a large area through the eastern and south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. It is a part of Melbourne’s Metropolitan Ring Road project.
Around 35 kilometres of new pathway exists alongside EastLink giving people the chance to walk, run or cycle on a continuous journey between Hoddle Street and Carrum.

The EastLink Trail is a 3 m wide concrete path that links into Melbourne’s extensive network of bicycle and pedestrian paths. The path has been designed to minimise the impact on the environment and sensitive vegetation. Featuring specially designed pedestrian bridges, extensive arts and landscaping features and with an investment of $26 million dollars the EastLink trail is arguably one of the finest bike paths in Victoria.

The Thiess John Holland joint venture chose structural macro synthetic fibres as the primary crack control reinforcement for large sections of the EastLink Trail.

Outcomes:

• Eliminated the risk of corrosion
• Reduces carbon footprint by 70% vs traditional steel, improving the green rating of the project
• Decreased construction difficultly by removing the need to transport mesh to remote locations

Author: Geoff Sedgman: gsedgman@elastoplastic.com