North East firm manufactures longest girders in its history

Posted on 10 Apr 2017 by Jonny Williamson
The first two pairs of girders have been completed and loaded out for the 300-mile journey from the firm’s factory in Darlington to the bridge’s location in the North East of Scotland – image courtesy of Cleveland Bridge.

Cleveland Bridge has embarked on a project to produce the longest steel bridge girder structures in its 150-year history for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project, a major transport infrastructure build in Scotland.

The first two pairs of girders have been completed and loaded out for the 300-mile journey from the firm’s factory in Darlington to the bridge’s location in the North East of Scotland – image courtesy of Cleveland Bridge.
The first two pairs of girders have been completed and loaded out for the 300-mile journey from the firm’s factory in Darlington to the bridge’s location in the North East of Scotland – image courtesy of Cleveland Bridge.

The seven paired 50-metre bridge girders, which will create the Charleston Junction Underbridge in Aberdeen, are reportedly six metres longer than Cleveland Bridge UK’s previous record steel structure.

The first two pairs of girders have already been completed and loaded out for the 300-mile journey from Cleveland Bridge UK’s factory in Darlington to the bridge’s location in the North East of Scotland.

They will be followed by the remaining five paired girders, which are expected to be finished and transported later this month.

Managing director of Cleveland Bridge UK, Chris Droogan explained: “Fabricating and delivering this record breaking steel girder demonstrates the significant capacity and capabilities we have at Cleveland Bridge UK.

“This achievement is another highlight to add to our distinctive history and emphasises the continued role Cleveland Bridge UK is playing in delivering Britain’s evolving infrastructure requirements.”

Designed to significantly improve travel in and around Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland, the project is being delivered by Transport Scotland, the national transport agency, on behalf of the Scottish government and in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

The £550m AWPR Construction Joint Venture – which includes Balfour Beatty, Morrison Construction and Carillion – is the New Works Contractor appointed to design and build the project.

It is one of a series of eight bridge structures Cleveland Bridge UK has been contracted to supply to the project, which, at 36 miles or 58km, is the longest roads construction project currently underway in the UK.

To date, Cleveland Bridge UK has fabricated, delivered and installed four of the bridges for the contract, which, in total, contain 2,850 tonnes of steel bridge structures. The remaining four, including the Charleston Junction Underbridge, are scheduled to be installed this year.