VicRoads needed an environmentally sustainable active transport solution with improved safety.

The Fitzsimons Lane upgrade project faced several critical challenges.

With the area experiencing high traffic volumes, there was an urgent need to reduce congestion and enhance road safety for all users. The busy intersections in the project scope required upgrades to handle the increasing traffic efficiently.

Additionally, introducing priority bus lanes, safer pedestrian crossings, and cycling lanes was essential to support active transportation users and ensure their safety.

BMD Constructions & Major Road Projects Victoria needed a robust solution that addressed these issues while meeting community expectations and maintaining environmental sensitivity. Supported by ecologiQ, which is responsible for increasing the use of recycled materials in major transport infrastructure projects, the clients were intent on identifying ways to use more recycled materials across all major road upgrades, in line with the Victorian Government’s Recycled First Policy.

The complexity of the client’s needs and the project itself therefore demanded an innovative approach to integrate various transportation modes harmoniously and sustainably.

Given the large project budget and two years of disruption on Fitzsimons Lane, the clients also wanted to use products with a longer Service Life, and which could be installed quickly.

OmniGrip Direct offered a perfect safety and sustainability solution with its 1 to 3mm, 75% crushed Australian Recycled Glass Coloured Surface Treatment (CST), OmniGrip CST. This high-performance, visually appealing surface treatment was applied to the upgraded intersections, bus lanes, and cycling lanes.  

In addition, concrete in the medians was surfaced with OmniGrip ReSurface, enabling significant construction efficiencies and a long-life surface that will reduce ongoing maintenance costs.

OmniGrip CST complies with VicRoads Section 431, ensuring it meets stringent safety and quality standards. The use of long-lasting coloured surface treatment not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal but also improved the safety of road users by clearly delineating different lanes and pathways.

Following close liaison with the client on hazard identification and risk assessment, OmniGrip Direct’s crews installed 3,900 square meters of Australian made coloured recycled road treatment to improve visibility of bus lanes at two new intersections in Templestowe, at the Porter Street-Fitzsimons Lane intersection and Foote Street-Williamsons Road intersection.

To align with the project’s environmental goals, OmniGrip Direct incorporated over 23 tonnes of 1 to 3mm, 75% crushed Australian Recycled Glass into the surface treatment, equivalent to recycling 115,000 beer bottles. This approach significantly reduced the project’s carbon footprint and demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability.

In the road medians, the contractors placed standard concrete which could be trafficked by construction equipment, reducing constraints on movement through the site. In the final stages of the project, OmniGrip Direct applied OmniGrip ReSurface to the concrete in the medians, to give them their durable, low maintenance finished surface.

The surface treatments were applied meticulously to ensure long-lasting performance, reducing the need for frequent, costly maintenance and minimising disruptions to the community. All of these factors helped improve the financial sustainability of the initiative.  

The implementation of OmniGrip CST on Fitzsimons Lane resulted in several significant benefits.

• Reduced Congestion: The improved traffic flow during peak periods was achieved by enhancing intersection efficiency and introducing priority bus lanes. This helped alleviate the daily bottlenecks that had plagued the area for decades.
• Enhanced Road Safety: The addition of safer pedestrian crossing points and dedicated cycling lanes significantly reduced accidents, providing a safer environment for all road users, ensuring people get home safely every day. The clear lane demarcations also helped reduce confusion and improve overall traffic behavior.
• Environmental Benefits: By repurposing over 23 tonnes of 1 to 3mm, 75% crushed Australian Recycled Glass, the project avoided 18,400 kg of embodied carbon from virgin glass production, contributing to a more sustainable construction process. This initiative not only diverted waste from landfills but also set a leading precedent for future environmentally conscious infrastructure projects that prioritise sustainable waste management.
• Community Satisfaction: The project’s sensitivity to community expectations ensured broad acceptance and support from local residents. Engaging with the community throughout the project helped build trust and foster a sense of ownership among locals.
• Safety, Compliance and Quality: The use of OmniGrip CST, compliant with VicRoads Section 431, guaranteed the highest safety and quality standards, providing peace of mind to the project stakeholders.
• The clients chose OmniGrip CST because it is durable and prioritises slips, trips and falls prevention in both wet and dry conditions. It was also the first coloured surface treatment to be TIPES certified in Australia, with the Australian Road Research Board giving it TIPES Level 3 certification on behalf of the Queensland Government.
• OmniGrip ReSurface was chosen for the median because it enabled construction efficiencies and delivered a high quality, low maintenance and durable surface to the road medians.