A multi million pounds scheme that will see the regeneration of Scotland’s Clyde waterfront – including construction of a major new road swing bridge – will draw on HBPW’s experience as one of the country’s leading experts in temporary works.
The new bi-parting structure, featuring two opening leaves, is at an early stage but, when completed, will cross the River Clyde at Renfrew connecting roads, cycling and walking routes.
However, before civil engineering and construction specialist, GRAHAM, can begin work in earnest, an Unexploded Ordnance Survey to check for dormant WWII explosives, needs to be carried out and a vital cofferdam built.
Managing Partner, Paul Withers, takes up the story. “This bridge, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, is vital to the local economy in that it will create better access for businesses and suppliers to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
“Its construction is part of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside scheme (CWRR) and, beneath the ‘towers’ upon which the two opening bridge leaves will eventually sit, there will be foundation piers, also housing the motor rooms, located close to the existing river bank at each end of the structure.
“However, because they need to be below ground, we have had to design temporary works cofferdams so that these pier substructures can be installed.”
The below-the-waterline dams, which effectively hold back river water while construction work on the piers takes place, are part of a temporary works brief that also includes struts and walings as well as dewatering of the cofferdam itself.
“We completed similar work at Tilbury2 Port where we designed some large cofferdams under very challenging ground conditions.
“The same is true at Renfrew where we are in the alluvial plain of the River Clyde working with variable ground conditions. However, there is no substitute for experience and, when you look at our temporary works and marine pedigree, I genuinely believe that HBPW is the right company for this job,” added Paul.
The project is expected to take three years to complete. Construction will deliver a two-lane road bridge across the River Clyde for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists and opening for passing ships.
Spanning 184-metres from Renfrew to the boundary between Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire, new bridge approach roads will connect to the crossing from close to Lobnitz Dock, Renfrew on the south side, to the boundary between Yoker and Clydebank on the north side, connecting with Dock Street.
The bridge, yet to be named, will use a cable stay system similar to the Queensferry Crossing and a twin-leaf design with each leaf opening and closing horizontally.
Around 700 jobs will support construction with some 1,400 permanent jobs and 950 temporary construction roles likely to follow on from the estimated £230million in private sector investment attracted to both sides of the Clyde.