The structure was constructed to assist in the delivery of Phase One of the HS2 high-speed rail project by Laing Murphy Joint Venture.
Fabricated using Mabey Bridge’s Compact 200 components, the new bridge is supported by the Bolt-A-Bin steel modular abutment system, which is considered a more environmentally-friendly alternative to concrete foundations.
Each abutment comprises a cellular structure formed from heavy duty corrugated steel sections, positioned within a carefully dug excavation and then backfilled with selected soil, compacted in layers decided by the type of material available in the local area.
The foundation cages measure 12m by 5m and go down to a depth of 2.5m from the underside of the bearings to settle on stable subsoil layers. The abutments are able to sustain the imposed loads whilst accommodating a significant degree of ground movement, including lateral and braking forces imposed by heavily laden vehicles.
The groundworks were completed by installing a steel grillage across the top of the abutments to help spread the load of the 7.3m-wide bridge. It was then launched from one side of the river using a D6 bulldozer.
Since its installation in the West Midlands by Mabey Hire, the bridge has been crossed (amongst others) by a 112t mobile crane, a 118t Axle Low Loader and a fleet of Volvo A60H articulated six-wheel haulers, weighing approximately 98t each.
