Exeter Canal Bridges

Client:Devon County Council
Value:£2,450,000
Location:Exeter

The contract involved the full refurbishment of two adjacent canal bridges, one a swing bridge and the other a bascule bridge.

Both bridges were grit blasted and painted utilising full environmental containment.  Works to the swing bridge included the construction of a new light weight bridge deck and the installation of a new operating mechanism.  The bascule bridge hydraulic system was upgraded to incorporate modern technology and the existing control building was extensively refurbished in order to house the new bascule bridge power pack and operational console for both bridges.

The specialist M&E works included a new electrical operation and control system, incorporating CCTV, PLC control and remote monitoring and supply and distribution systems, all of which were develped by Amco in conjunction with their partners.  The new system allows infinite control in relation to the movement of both bridges.

The mechanical and civils design for the contract was, in the main, undertaken by our own in house design team. The civils work included carriageway replacement, footpaths service ducts, foundations and an underwater cable crossing.

The works were carried out around a "live" traffic management system which allowed road traffic to continue with little disruption along the A379 which is one of the busiest commuter and commercial routes into Exeter.

The site was situated within an environmentally sensitive area with SSSI and RAMSAR classifications and was also registered under the Considerate Contractors Scheme.