Rapidly installed steel structure is a permanent, durable upgrade for an ageing bailey bridge
Nestled on the River Avon, Tewkesbury Marina is a busy facility with over 300 moorings available year-round for residency or leisure adventure. For many years, a reliable Bailey Bridge provided access to the permanent residential moorings, office block, and refuse collection area. Over the years, however, the condition of the bridge declined, and its weight limit was downgraded to 5 tonnes, which meant it could no longer support large service trucks and emergency vehicles.
The marina selected a like-for-like replacement for the old bridge to streamline the planning, approval and permitting processes, which would have been more complicated if a different bridge type had been specified. In addition, another modular structure would minimise the need for extensive abutment work and allow for the potential reuse of bearing positions. This rapidly installed option also limited the time motorists would be restricted from accessing the marina during construction.
Acrow’s team designed the bridge, provided temporary works coordination and supplied a full installation team, which included steel erectors and a site supervisor. The single-lane bridge measures 39.62 metres long and 3.15 metres wide and was designed for 44t vehicles in accordance with CS454. The structure has a durbar steel plate deck and is fully hot-dip zinc galvanised to protect against corrosion.
To reduce disruption for residents, pre-assembly of the new bridge took place at a boat storage yard while the old bridge remained in service, after which, the old bridge was removed and the new structure lifted into place. Both removal and installation were carried out in a single operation lasting just two hours with the new bridge opening to traffic immediately afterwards.
Acrow’s easily assembled and rapidly installed modular bridge proved the perfect solution for this project, which required minimal disruption for the local community. With a service life of over 100 years, the durable new permanent bridge will continue to serve the community for decades to come.
