The Challenge

AF Industrial (AFI) were asked to step in with fastening components needed for gantry footings and similar critical structures – particularly along the Hurstbridge line during track duplications and crossing removals at Rosanna and Alphington. AFI were chosen due to their ability to deliver within very short turnaround times.

“The track record of happy clients in construction combined with this extra point of difference,” says AFI’s Jim Strange, “was the reason why we were approached.”

“We have quietly serviced our network of clients in these more industrial or infrastructure-focused segments of the construction market and used it as an opportunity to expand our knowledge and capabilities,” says Jim, “in the last few years, we have built relationships with clients such as McConnell Dowel, Laing O Rourke, Fulton Hogan, Bechtel, BHP Billiton etc; companies who now can trust us for knowledgeable assessment of their needs and a fast turnaround time for fabrication and delivery.”

And that list of clients now includes CPB Construction and Metro Rail.

The Solution

Of course, when undertaking such a large project like removing railway level crossings, it isn’t simply a matter of deep excavations, some disruption to traffic, and the rebuild and reopening of the lines. What was above the ground is affected, too. Overhead infrastructure needs to be removed and replaced to allow access to the site. With that, you lose all previous footings and integrity of old components like power poles. Each crossing has been given brand-new power poles and other vertical structures. AFI’s role was to manufacture and supply hold down bolt cages to rigorous specifications. These hold down bolt cages will hold the relevant upright for many decades to come. These cages are embedded in concrete as a foundation, and the framework is inserted at an engineer-approved depth. 

The Result

A weatherproof support structure, functioning according to strict compliance regulations.

With many completed level crossing removals already featuring AFI’s hold down bolt cages, and more to go in, in the next few years, Jim is excited about the expansion of what was a niche sector for parent company Allfasteners into a sizable segment of the company’s product and service offering.

“While this is not the beginning for us, it is a major step forward,” says Jim, “having CPB and Metro Rail put faith in the quality of our fabrication capabilities means that now we have proven ourselves on a very public stage. And we’re ready to solve the challenges of the next major operators who are knocking on our doors.”