Upgrades and repair work to culverts along the $1.6 billion Toowoomba bypass has earned engineering firm Mainmark a Good Design Award in the Engineering Design category.
The project is one of the largest infrastructure schemes in Queensland’s history and netted Mainmark the accolade in recognition of its outstanding design and innovation.
Mainmark’s bespoke bypass initiative saw the company reline, repair and future-proof seven concrete drainage culverts which were threatening the structural integrity of the project’s 41km dual carriageway and ring road.
This issue was solved using Mainmark’s proprietary product, Terefil; a lightweight cementitious grout made using cement slurry and pre-formed hydrocarbon foam which was tailored to meet the specific site constraints of the project.
Mainmark Australia and New Zealand GM, Jon Glanville says recognition at the awards was welcomed.
“We were really proud to be a part of this important infrastructure project for Queensland. It challenged our ground engineering and asset preservation team to think outside the box and deliver an alternative solution to a complex problem. Being recognised for our efforts is a great reward for all involved,” Granville says.
“Mainmark’s remediation approach was key to helping the Toowoomba Bypass reach stringent industry compliance standards set by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“Since completion in 2019, the bypass has been able to reduce travel time across the Toowoomba Range by up to 40 minutes for heavy commercial vehicles, improve freight connections and redirect trucks away from Toowoomba’s CBD, which enhances liveability in the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley areas.”
The Australian Good Design Awards are the country’s oldest international awards for design and innovation, dating back to 1958. They celebrate products and services on the Australian and international market, recognising outstanding excellence in categories such as architectural design, precinct design and engineering.
In all 933 submissions were accepted at the awards which were evaluated by over 70 jurors across the globe against a strict set of design criteria.
Good Design Australia chief executive, Brandon Gien says receiving an Australian Good Design Award represents excellence in the field.
“The importance of embracing good design principles is now more important than ever as many businesses around the world have had to completely re-think their business strategies to remain competitive,” Gien says.
“The standard of design excellence represented in this year’s Awards is the best I’ve ever seen in my 25 years of running these Awards, an encouraging sign that the design sector is flourishing.”