The RNA Showgrounds Redevelopment Project was at the time one of Australia’s largest mixed use redevelopments and involved an overhaul of the 20.4 hectare RNA Showgrounds site.

As part of the redevelopment works, in 2017 ALLROADS were contracted to undertake the Gate 5 early works by Lendlease; a work package consisting of combined civil works, road works, services and landscaping.

Specific works included a new O’Connell Terrace entrance including the upgrade of the signalised intersection, new water mains, stormwater, street lighting and power, new Gate 5 signage, concrete driveway with an architectural finish (raked), asphalt footpath and landscaping.

During the early stage of the project, the project team found asbestos fragments and conducted further testing to determine the extent of contamination. As part of the solution, ALLROADS engaged a contaminated lands expert to provide a suitable outcome for the future use. This issue set the program back eight weeks, however ALLROADS worked with Lendlease and the RNA to find constructive solutions to accelerate the works to achieve handover prior to EKKA 2017.

Another challenge in delivering the project was working over the Inner City Bypass Tunnel (ICB). As part of the concrete driveway works, lightweight polystyrene blocks wrapped in PE Liner were used to reduce the overall design loading on the ICB. In addition, during earthworks, ALLROADS engaged ADG to undertake a risk assessment for the earthmoving machines to ensure that there was no risk to the structural integrity of the ICB during excavation and backfilling activities. To further ensure the integrity of the ICB, vacuum excavation of the last 500mm of soil above the ICB was undertaken.

Despite the challenges of working on contaminated land and a very tight program, the project team drew upon their previous experiences and maintained a “Can-Do” attitude to the project delivery; helping them achieve the critical handover date of prior to EKKA 2017.