Delivered by BAM-Farrans Joint Venture (BFJV), this complex design, civil and structural engineering project is one of the largest schemes undertaken by Norfolk County Council (NCC).
The scope required dual carriageway and foot / cycleways incorporated in a double bascule bridge of a size and scale not common in the UK, requiring extensive MEICA, marine engineering and urban highway works. Collectively, both leaves and counterweights weigh 2,600t, providing a 50m navigable passage. The bridge has been designed to open / close up to 26 times per day.
Engineering solutions and collaboration were further fostered through workshops and tools. Innovative digital construction tools and collaborative planning techniques promoted design innovation to mitigate risk and ensure value for money, bringing over £9m of benefits in efficiency and sustainability. For example, minimising the weight of the bridge leaves by 4,000t, saved 9,800t of CO2e. As the bridge decks are “light”, our supply chain designed a more efficient MEICA operating system, minimising maintenance requirements and whole-life cost.
The collaborative culture enabled design teams and construction teams to develop solutions where temporary works were incorporated into the permanent works. This included cofferdam walls becoming foundations for the bascule chamber walls and foundation for the Control Tower.
We worked closely to maximise opportunities for the local supply chain, over £20m has been spent with local companies.
Three Winning Facts:
- Great Yarmouth WW1 runway was recycled in the approach embankments
- £9m of efficiency and sustainability savings
- Bridge weighs the equivalent to 750 Asian elephants
