Engineers at the Forth Road Bridge in Scotland have unveiled plans for "mini-bridges" designed to minimise impact of major roadworks that are scheduled for next year.
A feasibility study commissioned by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) had reported that a continuous contraflow of at least eight weeks would be required to replace the bridge's main expansion joints. FETA then set up an engineering project team to look for innovative ways of limiting the period of closures. The result is a scheme to build two large temporary ramps - dubbed "mini-bridges" - over the main expansion joints, allowing workers to rebuild the worn-out components piece by piece while traffic continues to flow overhead.
The custom-built ramps would be at least 80m long and more than 2m high. They would be positioned under each of the Forth Road Bridge's towers. The FETA board will discuss the proposal next week.
