Design services for a range of geotechnical structures including retention and foundation design, earthworks, ground improvement and soil nails, and construction support services delivered across multiple projects within Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Program, supporting the safe and efficient delivery of road, rail and bridge infrastructure in complex urban environments.
Client
Various LCRP Alliances and Contractors
Location
Melbourne, Victoria
Sector
Infrastructure & Transport
Services Delivered
Construction SupportEarthworksFoundation DesignGeotechnical Investigation & CharacterisationGround ImprovementPile Verification and Geotechnical Risk ManagementRetaining Wall DesignSoil Nails
The challenge.
The Victorian Government's Level Crossing Removal Program involves the removal of dangerous and congested rail crossings through a combination of rail bridges, road underpasses, elevated rail structures, new stations and associated transport infrastructure. FSG has supported multiple projects across the program, each presenting unique geotechnical and construction challenges within highly constrained urban environments.
Ground conditions varied significantly between projects and included fill, alluvial deposits, silty sands, clays, weathered rock and low-strength sedimentary formations. Many sites were located adjacent to active rail corridors, operational roads, utilities and sensitive structures, requiring careful consideration of excavation stability, retention, foundation performance, ground movements and asset protection throughout both design and construction.
The approach.
FSG provided geotechnical engineering services across a range of project stages, including design development, constructability review, construction support and foundation verification. Services included interpretation of geotechnical investigation data, design of bridge foundations, retention systems, earthworks, ground improvement and temporary works, advanced numerical modelling, pile design and geotechnical risk assessments.
Working closely with project teams, FSG developed practical and buildable solutions that balanced geotechnical performance, construction methodology and programme requirements. During construction, our engineers provided site supervision, piling support, excavation inspections, foundation verification, pile testing and certification services. This ongoing involvement allowed potential geotechnical issues to be identified early and managed effectively, minimising risks to both construction activities and adjacent infrastructure.
The outcome.
Through involvement across multiple Level Crossing Removal Projects, FSG has helped deliver safe, efficient and reliable geotechnical solutions for critical transport infrastructure throughout Melbourne. Our integrated design and construction support services have assisted project teams in managing geotechnical risks, optimising foundation and retaining wall designs and maintaining programme certainty during complex rail and road upgrades.
The breadth of experience gained across numerous project environments has provided FSG with a strong understanding of the technical, operational and stakeholder challenges associated with major rail infrastructure delivery, allowing practical solutions to be developed for both design and construction teams.