:: BLUESTONE TAKES THE STRAIN

Television commercials broadcast during the Commonwealth Games describe the new Southern Cross station as a development that will change the face of Melbourne. When State Premier, Steve Bracks, launched the landmark transport and urban development project, he said it would “create 4,000 jobs and become the new gateway to Melbourne Docklands.

Mr Bracks added, "The centrepiece of the project will be the new $350 million Southern Cross railway station, which will deliver world class services to the fifteen million customers who use the station each year."

The Premier praised the winning design by world renowned Australian architect Daryl Jackson and innovative U.K. architect Nicholas Grimshaw. "It brings the best elements of modern railway design from around the world to create a user friendly, airport style facility, that will be easy and convenient for passengers to use and a new civic landmark for Melbourne."

Project

Southern Cross Station, Melbourne, Victoria

Architect

Daryl Jackson Architect, and Nicholas Grimshaw Architect

Construction Company

Leighton Contractors

Laying Team

J A Dodd Pty Ltd

Stone Supply

BAM Stone, Port Fairy, Victoria

Formats

1000 x 500 x 30;
750 x 500 x 30;
500 x 500 x 30;
250 x 500 x 30 mm
BAM bluestone plus 1 km of kerbing and 1.5 km of treads and risers.

The specified bluestone, supplied by BAM Stone Pty Ltd, covers 14,000 square metres of paving that has to withstand extremely heavy foot traffic. By liaising with the architects, BAM Stone created a laying module that featured 1000 x 500, 750 x 500, 500 x 500 and 250 x 500 mm formats that are laid in repetitive, yet informal grids, that reduce the cost of the stone and provided a better yield.

Contractors J A Dodd laid approximately 75 square metres per day. BAM Stone’s bluestone recently received an R13 slip resistance rating from C.S.I.R.O.

The bluestone is sealed with Teraseal Australia product, ‘Rockstar Dense Stone Seal’.

In spite of the extremely high levels of foot traffic the sealed bluestone is maintained courtesy of a regular cleaning programme that features a combination of a citrus degreaser, a neutral detergent and light phosphoric acid wash, that readily removes residue grime.

The sensational undulating wave like roof, vast open design and all glass frontages will captivate passengers in transit. The bluestone pavers, laid in a cost saving modular design, will take the strain.