M4 Widening – Platipus® Civil Anchors

The WestConnex is a world-class infrastructure project cutting 3 quarters of an hour off a typical journey between Parramatta and Sydney Airport. Work is currently ongoing on the first 7.5km of M4 Motorway being widened to 4 lanes in each direction between Parramatta and Homebush. The Rizzani Leighton Joint Venture has been contracted to design and build this section of the WestConnex project.

Cirtex Australia alongside Rizzani Leighton Joint Venture worked together in providing a temporary work solution to stabilise the embankment which supported the motorway. The temporary works embankment was to facilitate the construction of a permanent Mechanical Strengthened Earth (MSE) Wall constructed with large concrete panels. The Platipus Earth Anchoring System was chosen as the best way to stabilise the temporary embankment and comprised of driving Platipus B6 and B8 Bat anchors up to depths of 8m.

The Platipus system provided the following main features & benefits:

• ‘Buildability’ and ease of installation
• Minimum noise level and disruption during construction
• No sheet pile installation or removal
• Overall cost savings over traditional solutions
• Provided a safe working environment for construction of the MSE Wall