Description:
The Molonglo River Bridge is a major infrastructure project forming part of the John Gorton Drive extension in Canberra’s Molonglo Valley. At approximately 200 metres in length, the bridge is one of the longest weathering steel bridges in Australia and the tallest road bridge in Canberra. It has been designed to span the Molonglo River above the one-in-2000-year flood level, ensuring resilience to significant flood events.
The project plays a critical role in enabling the continued growth of the Molonglo region. Completion of John Gorton Drive, including the bridge, will support substantial land development and improve connectivity to key suburbs such as Denman Prospect, Whitlam, and the future Molonglo Town Centre.
Construction commenced in January 2024, beginning with the realignment of the northern approach road to Coppins Crossing. A temporary diversion road was completed and opened in May 2024 to maintain traffic flow during works. Major earthworks are ongoing, particularly near Denman Prospect, alongside the construction of two permanent sediment ponds as part of environmental protection measures.
As of the current stage, the bridge foundations and substructure have been completed, with construction of the superstructure underway. Upon project completion, Coppins Crossing will be retained but repurposed for restricted maintenance access only.
Acknowledgements:
People:
- Mark Gallagher
- Sam Tindal
Suppliers:
- Affinity Electrical
- Downer
- OzCast
- ACT Steelworks
- Infrabuild
- LH Landscapes
- GeoQuest Pre-cast
- Boral
Testimonial (Project Executive)
“BMD has a strong reputationof improving transport infrastructure through the construction of bridges across a range of challenging environments and we have leveraged this expertise to deliver an innovative outcome for the community in the ACT.
“The significance lies in enhancing the region’s overall aesthetics, creating an iconic and pleasing visual identity, while also protecting habitat for native fauna living under and around the finished infrastructure”
Mark Gallagher, Project Director, BMD Constructions
Rating Highlights
| Category | Credits | Achievements |
| Urban and Landscape Design | Pla-2 | Early bridge design explored steel and concrete combinations; however, adopting weathered steel piers and girders delivers strong sustainability benefits and landscape harmony with a ‘family of bridges’ concept. Weathered steel forms a protective patina on the steel surface, significantly reducing the need for coatings, repairs, and ongoing maintenance. |
| Supplier Assessment and Selection | Spr-2 | Prospective suppliers were invited to offer sustainability opportunities to the project, and as an example, the electrical supplier proposed fauna-friendly lighting to reduce light pollution and protect surrounding wildlife. The project has explored replacing the standard 4000K lighting with 3000K in some areas of the Project, lowering the blue-spectrum of the light emissions and lowering disruption to nocturnal species. |
| Resource Recovery and Management | Rso-4 | During the earthworks, two significant cuttings revealed hard rock at various depth, resulting in the excavation of 69,000 tonnes of rock. Instead of disposing of this rock as waste or using it as general fill, the project team decided to crush the rock into select pavement material (SMZ) and beneficially reuse it within the project construction. |
| Ecological Protection and Enhancement | Eco-1 | The Project has protected a number of native fauna habitat areas in and around the Project site, including implementing an innovative fauna movement corridor for the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard. The initiative supports existing conservation plans by enhancing habitat connectivity within the Molonglo River Reserve, strengthening ecological protection, restoration efforts, and long-term species management outcomes. |
Verified Innovations
| Name | Verification Date | Innovation Type | Description |
| Biochar in hydromulch | February 26, 2026 | First innovative technology, process or method – State First | Whilst hydromulch is a proven erosion control technique to promote re-vegetation on constructed road batters, the incorporation of biochar into the hydromulch is an innovative additional process, aimed to promote resilient revegetation.
According to research in the agriculture industry, biochar applications onto soil has been shown to increase crop production. Biochar use in the infrastructure industry for revegetation purposes is innovative. |