Gull Wing Enters Final Construction Phase

One of the country’s most iconic bridges – Lowestoft’s Gull Wing – enters the final stages of construction over the next few weeks, marking a series of professional milestones for both Farrans Construction and HBPW.

Since the start of the new year progress has continued to the northern and southern approaches, with waterproofing works for the bridge decks, new parapets and Vehicle Restraint System (VRS)

However, in order to complete the testing and pre-commissioning of the hydraulic, electrical and mechanical systems, the temporary suspension of navigation in Lake Lothing for the installation of the bascule span, has been delayed until next month / early March this year.

The first major steel section of the £145m structure, also known as the Lake Lothing Third Crossing, was moved into position over the East Suffolk rail line during a 52-hour possession, more than a year ago thanks, in part, to HBPW’s meticulous temporary works designs.

The operation required the use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporter units (SPMT), a vehicle composed of a platform supported by computer-controlled axles, in order to move the 20m x 60m North Approach Viaduct section – (NAV1) – into place. It weighed just short of 1500 tonnes.

At the time, Partner, Paul Monaghan, commented: “To avoid endorse lessons learnt on other bridge installations using SPMT Transporters, HBPWs temporary works designs provided for an aluminium trackway, supported on top of ballast and timber matting, enabling the SPMT to seamlessly move the bridge section into place between Pier 7 and the north abutment at the northern end of the bridge.”
 
The latest bascule span will arrive by sea from the Netherlands and enter Lake Lothing through the existing bascule bridge, before being rotated and jacked into position.

The installation and commissioning of the bascule span is the most complex major element of the project, and the works during the channel closure are critical to enabling the Gull Wing bridge to become operational.

Following a three-week closure, a further period of reliability testing will be needed before the bridge is fully operational.

There will then be a short period of time for final handover and operator staff training before the bridge opens to the public later this year.

Client:               Suffolk County Council
Contractor:      Farrans Construction