Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a

Landscape Planning Concept

ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd ABN 11120219561
Client: VicRoads
Date: 13/05/2011
LandscapeConcept Plan
Overall
LC001
KB LF FINAL 12/05/2011
Checkedby: Drawnby: Description: Date: Scale: SwanHill Bridge Client:
Vic Roads 1:2500
FINAL
Design Philosophy
Introduction
ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd was appointed by VicRoads in 2009, to undertake the
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment for the replacement bridge at Swan Hill. Six
options for the bridge alignment were assessed and of these, VicRoads has nominated
Option 9a as the preferred alignment. ASPECT has now been engaged to develop a
Landscape Planning Concept for Option 9a.
Design Approach
The landscape concept for alignment Option 9a addresses the interface of the
replacement bridge with ve key areas:
1. the entry to the bridge from the Murray Valley Highway
2. the existing Riverside Park
3. the new bridge
4. the riparian zone along the Murray River
5. the existing Hotel and Cornerstone Community on the NSW side of the river.
The following key design features will ensure a harmonious integration of these areas
with the new road alignment.
Design recommendations have been provided for both standard and non-standard
mitigation measures.
1. Entry from Murray Valley Highway
The landscape treatment of this section is designed to reect the tree lined avenues of
other major east-west streets in Swan Hill (as dened by the CBD Streetscapes Master
Plan). A grand avenue of tall Eucalypts and mown grass will connect the bridge entry
from the Murray Valley Highway to the realigned and widened Monash Drive.
Non-standard mitigation measures:
Consider installation of a 3m wide concrete shared path on the south side between the
Murray Valley Highway and Riverside Park to improve connectivity.
2. Riverside Park
The new bridge divides the existing parkland into two sections and impacts on the
existing River Red Gums. Existing trees should be protected and retained where
possible within the right of way and those close to the construction site should be
temporarily fenced to prevent damage to their roots by heavy vehicles. The existing
pedestrian pathway known as the Riverside Walk should be maintained to allow a
connection under the bridge between the two sides of the park. Allowing a 1.5m
structure depth would provide the required 2.6m overhead clearance between the
bridge and the path. Consideration should also be given to the installation of bench
seats adjacent to the path, facing the river, which would provide quiet reection space
for park users.
Where the embankments are steeper than 4:1, they should be planted with low native
understory planting from EVC 295: Riverine Grassy Woodland.
Areas of parkland further back from the river and along Monash Drive should be planted
with a mix of River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Black Box (Eucalyptus
largiorens).
Non-standard mitigation measures:
A well designed northern and southern embankment that integrates into the parkland
setting should be provided. It is recommended that gabion terraces or concrete
retaining walls be used under the bridge instead of earth embankments so as to retain
as much remnant vegetation and useable parkland as possible. As the walls are to be
situated in a highly visible public area, it should be considered that they be designed
with the input of a landscape architect. It should be ensured that the embankment walls
and underside of the bridge structure are of high quality design and nish to compliment
the parkland. Refer to Bridge Design Guidelines section on Page 4 for further detail.
On the south side of the proposed bridge the existing car park will be partly impacted
by the bridge footprint. Consider either the removal of the entire car park and planting
with grassland and trees, or that an area of the car park be retained and realigned and
landscape planting be provided to the edges of the car park.
3. Replacement bridge over the Murray River
During the detailed design of the replacement bridge the following design guidelines
should be taken into consideration:
Design and construct an architecturally designed bridge that will
compliment the adjacent heritage structure. The new bridge should not
emulate the bridge but be of equal aesthetic standing
Make the structural supports for the bridge visually permeable so that views
are possible through the elements
Make all elements appear visually slender; views through the structure
should be preserved where possible from the waters edge and top of
embankments
The materials used should complement the wider local landscape
character including the local setting, existing bridge and river corridor
Ensure any ttings or xtures including furniture, lighting, railings, lift span
and other elements are integrated with the bridge to compliment the
architectural forms
Consolidation of signage and road furniture
Optimise the physical footprint to reduce area as much as practical.
Refer to Bridge Design Guidelines on Page 4 for more detailed recommendations.
4. Murray River Vegetation
As many riparian trees should be retained as possible on both sides of the river.
Following construction, revegetate the waters edge with a band of River Red Gums
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and appropriate understorey planting from EVC 295:
Riverine Grassy Woodland. As this is a habitat corridor and it is not feasible to plant
trees under the bridge, a band of low to medium shade tolerant indigenous plants from
the same EVC should be planted beneath the bridge to link the band of trees on either
side.
5. NSW side settlement
Along the NSW side of the alignment, a mix of River Red Gums (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis) and Black Box (Eucalyptus largiorens) should be planted in linear bands
of 5-8 trees in mulched beds at the toe of embankments. Understorey planting should
also be provided in the form of plant species from EVC 132: Plains Grassland, except
where the embankments are steeper than 4:1 (at the bridge end) where a selected mix
of low shrubs from EVC 295: Riverine Grassy Woodland should be planted. These are
marked with an asterix on the plant list.
Non-standard mitigation measures:
Consider alternate embankment treatments such as gabion terraces or concrete
retaining walls, to retain as much remnant vegetation and useable river edge as
possible.
The design for the replacement bridge should be simple and elegant
The replacement bridge should maintain views to the historic bridge and should
be sympathetic in style without trying to replicate its form or structure
Source: Aspect Studios
Source: Bridgescapes, Gottemoeller, 2004
2 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
Swan Hill Bridge
Figure:
Landscape Views and Pathways
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Landscape Views and Pathways
Figure 5
MT SRi For Comment 14/05/09 1:1250 @ A1 C1
Checked by: Drawn by: Revision: Description: Date: Scale: Swan Hill Bridge Client:
VicRoads
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SCENIC VIEWS
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Key views
This information has been extracted from the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (2009) to demonstrate key views from and around the area of the replacement bridge. It should be noted that Views 4 and 9 closest to the alignment will include the replacement bridge. It is
therefore important that the design of the bridge and the supporting piers are slender and elegant such that views underneath the structure to the opposite bank and to the existing bridge remain as open as possible.
Views and Scenic Values
Across the study area there are a number of scenic views and viewing points. These views have been informed by local
maps and the site investigation. The most signicant of these views have been assessed for potential visual impact.
Scenic Views of the Study Area
The scenic views and viewing points within the study area are:
View 6: From McCallum Street to the existing bridge and river corridor.
View 7: Throughout Riverside Park.
View 8: From residential properties in Swan Hill to the River Corridor.
Signicant Views
The most signicant views are:
View 1 and 2: These two views from Riverside Park to the Murray River corridor are recognised on local maps as formal
locations to view the Murray River and surrounding corridor. The vegetation in close proximity to the views has been
partially cleared which enables unrestricted views along the river and to the surrounding corridor.
View 4: Views from the Riverwalk in Riverside Park and James Belsar Reserve enabling a scenic experience whilst walking
adjacent to the Murray River. The views are of the Murray River corridor, open space and neighbouring sites. The views are
often ltered by the existing mature vegetation. There are a number of locations throughout the walk where gaps appear in
the vegetation and clear views are afforded of the Murray River and surrounding landscape.
View 9: Views from watercraft travelling along the Murray River. Watercraft travelling along the river afford scenic views of
the river, river embankments and adjacent vegetation. There are also scenic views of the existing Swan Hill Bridge. The
views from watercraft are not stationary, the views change as the user moves along the river.
Views 3: The view from the pedestrian walkway on the existing Swan Hill Bridge is regarded as signicant because it is
the only location where views are possible above the river looking north and south along the corridor. This viewpoint is an
important scenic viewpoint from the historical bridge.
View 5: The views west from the residences in the Wamba Wamba Community land across the vegetated landscape to
the Murray River. The views from this location are without signicant urban interference and is one of the few locations
where views are possible to the Murray River through scattered vegetation planting from residential properties.
As a standard principle of landscape and visual assessment a higher signicance is placed on public view points in
comparison to residential view points.
3 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
9A ALIGNMENT
Bridge Design Guidelines
Swing bridge
Double leaf Bascule bridge
Vertical lift span bridge
Single leaf Bascule bridge
Source: http://visual.merriam-webster.com
4 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
The replacement bridge will be a signicant landmark in the river corridor adjoining
Swan Hill. An opportunity exists to design the structure in such a way that it provides
visual interest and contributes to a sense of place for the township, while also providing
the amenity of a vehicular and pedestrian link across the river.
The design of the bridge and surrounds should be guided by:
1. typical best practice guidelines for bridge design
2. site-specic considerations
3. landscape impact mitigation measures.
1. Typical Best Practice Guidelines For Bridge Design
Bridge elements that the design should address include:
the height and length of the bridge (vertical and horizontal geometry)
bridge span-to-depth ratios
the thickness of the superstructure
the design, number and spacing of support piers
the placement, height and design of the bridge abutments or approach
embankments
material, colour and texture of the bridge
parapets and railings
relationship between bridge and landscape mitigation
safe pedestrian access under the bride along the foreshore
design of bridge, abutments, materials selection and location to pathways to
minimise potential vandalism and grafti vandalism
maximise width of accessible riverside parkland to reinforce continuity,
connectivity and views along the river corridor.
Recommended Aesthetic Goals for Non-Standard Bridges:
Simplicity: a minimum number of different elements in the bridge design.
Apparent thinness and transparency: elements should appear slender; views through
the structure should be preserved where possible.
Structural clarity: elements should be shaped to respond to the structural function
they perform.
Appropriateness: the bridge should have a clear and logical relationship to its
surrounding.
Unity and interest: there should be enough variety to hold peoples interest, but all
elements should appear to contribute to the single whole.
Materiality: the materiality should respond to the wider local landscape character
including the local setting including the foreshore heritage area and estuarine areas.
From Bridgescapes, The Art of Designing Bridges by Frederick Gottemoeller, 2004
The design should also be informed by the RTA 2003 publication Bridge Aesthetics -
Design guidelines to improve the appearance of bridges in NSW.
2. Site Specic Design Guidelines For The Bridge At Swan Hill
Sited approximately 100m downstream of the existing Swan Hill Bridge, the proposed
bridge should be an exemplar of modern bridge construction and design, and the two
bridges must be seen as a harmonious pair. The existing bridge is of historical and
technical (scientic) signicance to the States of Victoria and New South Wales and
the replacement bridge must be sympathetic to its scale, character and heritage value,
whilst not attempting to imitate it.
The bridge should:
not mirror or replicate existing materials, or forms
seek to be a bridge of its own time and character
be limited in height and thickness of structure
seek to provide a vertical element that does not dominate views or enable
increased visibility from vantage points throughout the surrounding landscape
enable views from adjacent open areas and throughout the surrounding
landscape to occur through the cavity below the deck level
integrate the design of noise attenuation if required
be sympathetic to the surrounding tree line
ensure safe and secure pedestrian access along the rivers edge where
current pedestrian access is possible
provide contrast in engineering details and xtures to the existing Swan Hill
Bridge
use materials which are of recessive colour, so that they blend well with the
surrounding landscape
ensure lighting underneath the bridge is adequate where pedestrian access is
possible (on both sides of the river) to provide a safe environment
be tted with open fenestration handrails to maximise views of the river from
the bridge and to help the bridge sit lightly in the landscape
ensure any ttings or xtures including furniture, lighting, railings and
other elements are integrated with the bridge design to compliment the
architectural form.
This bridge will include a lift span, which adds considerable bulk to the built form of the
bridge. The above design guidelines need to inform the design of this element and the
bridge as a whole.
The three most common design types for lift span bridges are vertical lift, single leaf
Bascule and double leaf Bascule. All of these make use of a lift mechanism including
large pulleys and counterweights to move the span.
Vertical lift bridges require the construction of towers which rise above the bridge, often
joined into a continuous frame. This type of bridge is not appropriate for the replacement
Swan Hill Bridge as it would dominate the surrounding landscape.
Single leaf Bascule bridges only require the lift mechanism to be located on one side of
the bridge, however the span will protrude much higher once lifted than a double leaf
construction and there must be some sort of elevated structure to support this. This
type of bridge is also likely to dominate the surrounding landscape.
Double leaf Bascule bridges may be designed so that the lift mechanism sits below the
bridge (usually hidden inside the piles) allowing for a lower overall height which would be
better suited to the site of the replacement Swan Hill Bridge.
A swing bridge may be a better option than a lift span bridge, as the turning mechanism
is housed under the bridge and there are no vertically protruding structural elements
above the bridge.
For all of the above bridge types, careful consideration must also be given to the design
and location of the control house.
Although the visual impact of the structure is greater when the bridge is open, this will
only occur a few times a year, so more emphasis should be placed on designing a
bridge which sits harmoniously in the surrounding landscape when closed.
3. Landscape Impact Mitigation Measures
The Landscape Design Concept plan provides additional information to inform the
design of the bridge, pedestrian approaches to the bridge and surrounding parkland,
the protection of existing trees and the revegetation of the rivers edge and other areas
within the Right of Way.
Bridge Form Precedents
Consider opportunities for added visual interest through reection of bridge form on
surface of water
Consider ways to site the new bridge so that it frames the existing historic bridge
Double leaf Bascule bridges are often more suitable for smaller bridges such as Swan Hill
Bridge
A Swing Bridge, which needs no structural elements above the height of the bridge should
also be considered
Single leaf Bascule bridge has dominating vertical structure on one side Height of the towers on a vertical lift span bridge dominate surrounding landscape
Ensure enough headroom under bridge for pedestrians to feel safe walking under and to
avoid creating dark spaces
Source: Google images Source: Flickr
Source: Flickr Source: Flickr Source: Google images
Source: Bridgescapes, Gottemoeller, 2004
Source: Bridgescapes, Gottemoeller, 2004
5 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
Bridge Abutment & Retaining wall Precedents
Consider alternate abutment treatments such as concrete, gabion or stone clad walls instead of berms to reduce bridge footprint. Ensure quality nishes and muted colours are used on the walls and underside of the bridge, which will be visible from Riverside Park.
Source: Wood Marsh
Source: Google images Source: Google images
Source: Aspect Studios
Source: Aspect Studios
Source: Aspect Studios Source: Aspect Studios Source: Aspect Studios
Source: Aspect Studios
Source: Aspect Studios
Source: Aspect Studios Source: Aspect Studios
Precast coloured concrete panels
Rigid form gabion wall
Precast coloured concrete panels Incorporated artwork Articulated Corten steel wall
Soft form gabion wall Articulated Corten steel wall
Stone clad concrete walls Precast (textured) concrete panels Stepped gabion bridge abutment
Precast (textured) concrete panels
Precast (textured) concrete panels
6 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
Eucalyptus largiorens
Black Box
Eucalyptus melliodora
Yellow Gum
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
River Red Gum
Atriplex semibaccata
Berry Salt bush
Senecio quadridentatus
Cotton Fireweed
Enchylaena tomentosa
Ruby Salt bush
Maireana decalvans
Black Cotton Bush
Tree planting
Embankment planting
Planting Palette
COMMON NAME LATIN NAME
Trees:
River Red-gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Black Box Eucalyptus largiorens
Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora
Understorey:
Grey Roly-poly Sclerolaena muricata var. villosa
Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa
Black Cotton-bush Maireana decalvans
Cottony Saltbush Chenopodium curvispicatum
River Bluebell Wahlenbergia fuminalis
Slender Dock Rumex brownii
Cotton Fireweed Senecio quadridentatus
Nodding Saltbush Einadia nutans ssp. nutans
Berry Saltbush Atriplex semibaccata
Small Saltbush Atriplex eardleyae
Variable Sida Sida corrugata
Bristly Wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia setacea
Rough Spear-grass Austrostipa scabra
Knob Sedge Carex inversa
Finger Rush Juncus subsecundus
* Appropriate for embankment planting (slopes steeper than 1:4)
COMMON NAME LATIN NAME
Understorey:
Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena diacantha
Grey Podolepis Podolepis canescens
Variable Groundsel Senecio pinnatifolius
Small-ower Goodenia Goodenia pusilliora
Clay Sunray Rhodanthe stuartiana
Stiff Cup-ower Pogonolepis muelleriana
Grass Cushion Isoetopsis graminifolia
Hairy Burr-daisy Calotis hispidula
Lobed Bluebush Maireana lobiora
Knotty Spear-grass Austrostipa nodosa
Desert Spear-grass Austrostipa eremophila
Common Wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia caespitosa
Sand Wire-grass Aristida contorta
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Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) 295: Riverine Grassy Woodland
Plants can be selected from the following list:
Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) 132: Plains Grassland
Plants can be selected from the following list:
7 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
Landscape Design Concept
8 Landscape Concept Plan FINAL - Swan Hill Bridge Option 9a 24/09/2010
The following drawings comprise the Landscape Design Concept Plan for Option 9a in
plan, elevation and section, as follows:
LC001 Overall Concept plan
LC002 West bank plan
LC003 East bank plan
LC004 Eastern end of works
LC005 Bridge elevations looking north
LC006 Sections AA and BB (see LC001 for locations)
LC007 Sections CC and DD (see LC001 for locations)