RESURFACING OF RACETRACK AT HIDDEN VALLEY MOTORSPORT COMPLEX, DARWIN

In July 2014, Downer was awarded a contract for the resurfacing of the racetrack and associated civil works at the Hidden Valley Motorsport Complex in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Works included, survey and modelling of the track surface, removal of the existing track surface and patching of distressed areas, overlay of track, sealing of pit parking and scrutineering areas, bulk earthworks and shoulder regrading, concrete kerb, drainage, stone pitching and landscaping.

The contract was to be completed under a fast-tracked program immediately after the completion of the 2014 V8 Supercars event to minimise the impact on planned race meetings at the track. This required Downer to hit the ground running with detailed planning, logistics and mobilisation to site to commence works immediately upon contract award.

In planning for this tight timeframe, Downer mobilised an asphalt plant, paving equipment and a project team which had extensive experience working on race tracks such as Phillip Island, Albert Park, and Adelaide among others.

The greater work group involved included team members from Downer’s local Northern Territory business, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, as well as various subcontractors and service providers.

The 180-tonne-per-hour mobile asphalt plant was rapidly deployed from New South Wales and set up on site at Hidden Valley. The plant was mobilised, established and commissioned within two weeks producing high quality asphalt specifically designed by our research and development laboratory for racing conditions in the Territory.

The project team working collaboratively with the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Infrastructure (DoI) and its independent consultant ensured that all parties were kept in the loop as to progress, site issues and other factors from external parties.

This approach ensured that all matters were identified, addressed and outcomes agreed before they became an issue, possibly affecting the progress of the project. This approach ensured a strong cooperative and positive outcome was achieved for the project.

Pre-works involved resurfacing of access roads around the site and various civil works. Survey and profiling operations were also completed to remove and scarify the top surface of the existing asphalt on the track, and rectify any failures in the existing pavement. Detailed survey and level control systems were used on both profiling and laying operations to ensure surface smoothness and achieve a high standard of ride quality on the track.

The overlay of the prepared track surface was completed over three days and was a significant logistical exercise in which over 4,000 tonnes of asphalt was laid using a combination of echelon paving and single paving methodologies to complete the works.

In areas where a single paver was used, longitudinal asphalt joints were treated at turns in the track and matched joints heated to ensure a high level of compaction was achieved.

The final surface, delivered within a very short timeframe from award will provide an excellent racing surface for the V8 Supercars, and many other events, for many years to come.