Manchester Airport recently achieved a significant milestone in its modernisation programme by installing a large link bridge at Terminal Two.
- The installation involved a carefully coordinated operation using a self-propelled modular transporter for precision.
- This new bridge is part of a broader £1.3bn project to enhance Terminal Two, aiming to more than double its capacity.
- Over 270 pieces of steel were used in constructing the two-storey bridge, which was built offline and transported into place.
- The project underscores Manchester Airport’s commitment to expanding its facilities and improving passenger experience.
In a remarkable feat of engineering, Manchester Airport has successfully installed a new 216-tonne link bridge at its Terminal Two, forming a vital part of its ongoing £1.3 billion modernisation programme. The bridge was designed to connect the existing terminal buildings to a newly constructed pier, which features additional aircraft gates and seating areas, ensuring improved capacity and efficiency.
This ambitious project saw the construction of the bridge using more than 270 steel components combined with metal decking and a 150mm concrete slab flooring. The finished structure measures 90 feet in length and 33 feet in height. Notably, the bridge was assembled on an airfield over a period of three months, illustrating the meticulous planning and execution involved.
The final installation phase occurred during an eight-hour operation where the bridge was delicately moved into its final position using a self-propelled modular transporter, an advanced piece of equipment supplied by Dutch heavylift specialists Mammoet. This method enabled the precise placement of the bridge, as described by the airport’s programme delivery director, Jill Fraser: “Installing this link bridge was a massive undertaking and it was incredible to watch such a huge piece of infrastructure carefully lifted into place, precise to the millimetre.”
The newly installed bridge is integral to the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), which is scheduled for completion next year. Upon completion, Terminal Two is expected to see its capacity more than double, with an estimated 75% of the airport’s passengers set to utilise the new facilities. Key contributions to the bridge’s installation came from several firms, including Mace, which oversaw the second phase of the MAN-TP project, alongside suppliers such as Martifer, Bethell, Amco, LPL Construction Services, and DGP.
David Hanmer, project director from Mace, highlighted the operational challenges overcome during this endeavour: “The window to move the bridge was very tight – to ensure the minimum amount of disruption to the airport and its passengers. As you would expect, it wasn’t an easy task, but everyone involved stepped up to the challenge.” The success of the bridge installation marks a significant advancement in the airport’s expansion efforts.
The installation of this state-of-the-art bridge marks a pivotal step forward in enhancing Manchester Airport’s infrastructure and passenger capacity.
