Northumberland Steel Footbridge, Bebside

The Northumberland Line initiative is a collaborative effort between Northumberland County Council, North East Combined Authority, Dept for Transport and Network Rail, aimed at fostering economic development by enhancing transportation connections to major cities including Newcastle.

Taziker, on behalf of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, was tasked with the fabrication and installation of a 50-metre cycle bridge, which will provide access for both pedestrians and cyclists to the newly constructed Blyth Bebside railway station.

The challenge

The 50-metre-long bridge presented a significant challenge regarding its transportation without requiring a Special Movement Order. Designed as a fully welded structure, this aspect, combined with the transportation difficulties, added to tight schedules on site.

The solution

Taziker participated in the initial design phase to provide guidance on fabrication and installation considerations. This early engagement led to a modification of the design from a fully welded framework to a bolted configuration.

This design alteration brought numerous advantages, with the primary benefit being that the bolted structure could be painted off-site and then transported directly to the final lifting location in a timely manner, thereby minimising additional on-site labour.

The fabrication process took place at Taziker’s Blackburn facility, where 40-tonne cranes and ample space in the fabrication bays allowed for the easy rotation of the bridge. This facilitated improved access for the team to perform welding on the underside of the structure.

A comprehensive trial erection of both the bridge and handrails was conducted at the Blackburn facility prior to transportation for the application of a protective paint system, adhering to Highways Type 2 coatings specifications, with anti-skid coatings applied to the deck surface.

Before the bridge was delivered to the site, temporary works were installed and checked on both the west and east abutments. A combination of jacking and lateral restraint systems was positioned next to each bearing, connected to cast-in stainless steel anchors as necessary.

In an effort to transport the bridge without requiring a Special Movement Order, Taziker worked closely with our transportation experts to determine the suitable trailer configuration. This approach ensured that the rigid length remained compliant with the criteria for a Special Movement Order, thus eliminating the necessity for a 12-week notice period.

The steel components were delivered to the site using three trailers, after which they were positioned onto temporary supports. As each section was hoisted onto these supports, the bridge was assembled by bolting the splice connections at both the top and bottom chords, with cross bracings also secured over the joints.

The bridge installation took place during a complete 32-hour closure of the dual carriageway, which was planned and managed by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Northumberland County Council. The bolted structure was lifted from the temporary supports by a 650-tonne crane and placed onto the abutments, where it was gradually lowered to its final position using 17-tonne jacks, following the installation of bearings and the curing of grout.

The result

The installation of the bridge was completed successfully, offering essential access to the newly constructed Blyth Bebside railway station and serving as a significant milestone in the ongoing Northumberland Line Project.