An impressive feat in civil engineering has recently been achieved with the installation of new bridge beams on the M25.
- Graham utilised a 1,000t capacity crane to lift six steel girders for the Duckwood Bridge at junction 28.
- The beams, weighing up to 113t each, were meticulously assembled in mid-air before being placed onto the structure.
- Duckwood Bridge forms a pivotal part of a £170M enhancement project aimed at alleviating congestion between the M25 and the A12.
- This engineering accomplishment occurred without necessitating full road closures, minimising disruption to local traffic.
In a significant development for infrastructure improvement, Graham has successfully installed new bridge beams at the highly trafficked junction 28 of the M25 in Essex. This operation involved the execution of a complex lifting procedure using a crane with a capacity of 1,000 tonnes. The intricacy of this task was compounded by the necessity to assemble the smaller beams in mid-air prior to their installation as complete structural elements. The newly positioned beams, each weighing up to 113 tonnes, were placed carefully onto the bridge’s abutments.
The Duckwood Bridge is an integral component of the broader £170 million upgrade project, which seeks to improve a critical section of road that handles up to 7,500 vehicles per hour during peak times. This ambitious project, originally estimated to cost £50 million, is designed to offer a more efficient transit route by introducing the A12 anti-clockwise loop road over the Weald Brook watercourse.
Hugh McNally, the project manager from Graham, lauded the team’s technical expertise and persistent dedication, stating, “The installation of the Duckwood Bridge beams marks a fantastic achievement on the scheme.” With the beam installations concluded, the focus now shifts towards finalising the remaining structural concrete works slated for completion in Autumn 2024.
The operation did not require a complete road closure, thereby limiting the impact on the local community. Zach Pepper, the project manager from National Highways, commented on the milestone achieved, emphasising its significance in logistical planning, “Completing the final beam lift for the structures in the scheme is a significant milestone and a testament to the hard work of everyone on-site.” He noted the project’s commitment to minimising local disruption through innovative offline construction techniques.
The completion of the beam installation on Duckwood Bridge signifies a major advancement towards enhancing transport infrastructure along the M25.
