TERRITORY and Municipal Services are letting Canberrans know they will start to notice the early stages of the new Molonglo River bridge, a prominent feature of the Majura Parkway project, as they drive past its soon-to-be home over Morshead Drive.

“The first segment of the Molonglo River bridge was slowly pushed out to start its journey across the river this week,” Tony Gill, Director, Roads ACT said today.

“It is one of 11 segments that will eventually form a single beam which, when finished, will run the length of the northbound bridge.

“The segments are constructed one at a time in an on-site casting yard directly behind the bridge and as each segment is finished, it is slowly pushed across the river at about 30 millimetres per minute using hydraulic jacks and a steel guiding frame.

“Once completed, the Molonglo River bridge will be a 250 metre long twin bridge which spans Molonglo River and Morshead Drive adjacent to the existing Sylvia Curley Bridge.

“One bridge will carry northbound traffic, while the other will carry southbound traffic.

“The Molonglo River bridge has been designed using a method known as the pre-cast launch construction method which was chosen because of its high level of safety and low impact on traffic during construction.

“Other benefits of this method include its small ecological footprint and its streamlined design,” Mr Gill said.

Construction commenced on the bridge embankments and piers in 2013 and will continue into 2015.

The Majura Parkway is an 11.5 kilometre dual carriageway road that will provide a safer and more convenient link between the Federal Highway and Monaro Highway.