VolkerFitzpatrick takes the lead on refurbishing the A13 River Lea Crossing, a key bridge in east London.
- Originally constructed in the 1930s, the bridge will undergo strengthening above and below deck to improve durability.
- The works include steelwork replacement, waterproofing, and new parapets to enhance safety.
- Traffic disruption is minimized with phased management, maintaining two lanes open in both directions.
- Significant collaboration with stakeholders aims to ensure minimal environmental impact during refurbishment.
VolkerFitzpatrick has commenced the refurbishment of the A13 River Lea Crossing as part of Transport for London’s initiative to enhance the city’s road infrastructure. This single span steel arch bridge, dating back to the 1930s, plays a crucial role in the A13, the second busiest route in London, supporting approximately 40 million vehicles each year.
The refurbishment involves comprehensive strengthening works both above and beneath the bridge deck, intended to enhance the structure’s long-term durability. Initial steps have seen the replacement and repainting of steelwork below the bridge, with upcoming tasks focusing on waterproofing, resurfacing the road, and installing new bridge parapets to heighten user safety.
VolkerFitzpatrick ensures minimal disruption to commuters through carefully phased traffic management measures, keeping at least two lanes open in each direction at all times. The design and implementation of these improvements were carried out by Hewson Consulting, whose surveys and assessments affirmed that refurbishing rather than replacing the bridge aligned with PAS 2080’s ‘build less’ philosophy, promising about 50% in embodied carbon savings.
Hewson’s strategic design process was executed in two phases, beginning with input from a specialist steel contractor to ensure buildability and risk identification. This was followed by detailed design work, where Hewson Consulting continues to provide supervision and collaborate with entities such as the Canal and River Trust and the Environmental Agency, maintaining a focus on reducing environmental impact throughout the project.
Diyal Norris, VolkerFitzpatrick’s operations director, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about leading this significant project. Norris stated, ‘The upgrade works will provide a vital step towards reducing long-term disruption and will significantly improve the infrastructure for decades to come.’
The refurbishment of the A13 River Lea Crossing is a strategic enhancement aimed at ensuring longevity and resilience while minimising environmental impacts.
