The foundation of the south tower set a record for the largest underwater continuous concrete pour.
Photo courtesy of Transport Scotland.
“EVERY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CROSSING AND APPROACH ROAD SHARES A SENSE OF PRIDE IN DELIVERING A WORLD CLASS PROJECT.” — DAVID CLIMIE, PROJECT DIRECTOR - TRANSPORT SCOTLAND
As for the all-important price tag? Lower than expected costs puts the total estimated price range of delivering the FRC project at £1.325 billion–£1.35 billion ($1.75 billion–$1.78 billion). Speaking to the original motivation behind the
project, David Climie, project director at Transport Scotland, explained, “Tere are benefits to the communities on either side of the Forth from the new bridge. Essentially, the project is to help deliver strategic economic benefits for Scotland, and the decision to proceed was taken by the Scottish Government.” He also pointed out the historical significance.
“Crossing the Forth estuary at this point has been an important link between the Lothians and Fife, and beyond, for centuries. Following her marriage to King Malcolm III in 1070, Queen Margaret established a ferry to carry pilgrims over the Firth of Forth to Dunfermline Abbey, giving the towns on either side their names: North and South Queensferry.” With some 60,000 vehicles using the bridge daily, Climie emphasized that the crossing point at Queensferry remains an important strategic and economic link— actually comprised by three bridges: the Forth Bridge (a rail bridge open since 1890); the Forth Road Bridge/ FRB (the existing road bridge open since 1964); and the soon-to-be-finished Queensferry Crossing. “Tis project will replace the FRB, which is no longer suitable as the main road crossing of the Forth. While maintenance work to arrest corrosion has been underway for some time, the main cables have lost around ten percent of their strength. Replacement is technically possible, but the works would have to take place over a period of between seven to nine years, causing sustained
and significant disruption to traffic. Without an alternative crossing in place, this would have a significant impact on the economy of Scotland. Tat’s why we are building a new bridge.” Preparation was, expectedly, on a level akin to what
execution has proved to be thus far with the endeavor, and Michael Martin, project director at Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) knew that once the undertaking was a go, the main priorities were to finalize the design of the bridge and the construction program in order to maximize deliverability. “An important part for us was to bring together an international consortium of four partner companies to oversee the construction and create a unified team fully focused on delivering this magnificent bridge to our client on time and on budget,” he stressed. “Troughout the planning stage and in all early preparations for the
Photo courtesy of James Miller.
A traveler gantry hoists a section of road deck.
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2016 27
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