Client

The Highland Council

Value

£5.5m

THE PROJECT

Invercoe Bridge Crossing was an existing concrete structure that had come to the end of its lifespan. The project works involved the demolition of the existing bridge over the River Coe on the B863 road, and installation of a new bridge structure. The new bridge is a 60m long, two span structure consisting of steel beams and concrete deck, supported by reinforced concrete
abutments and a central pier.
To facilitate the demolition of the existing structure, extensive temporary works were required in the form of constructing a temporary road and pedestrian bridge, spanning the river adjacent to the existing bridge. New sealed road alignments were constructed to connect the temporary structure to the existing B863, which diverted traffic and pedestrians around the existing structure for demolition and the new bridge construction works. A lot of the works were carried out within the confines of the water license and permitted water windows, meaning there was a return visit to carry out the removal of the temporary bridge and its foundations, finishing works to the new structure supports and finally rock armour scour protection works around the new bridge foundations.

View Gallery
View Gallery

The scope of the project was to design and implement the following works:

  • Site establishment & enabling works
  • Demolish existing reinforced concrete structure
  • Construct temporary foundations & install a temporary bridge to maintain traffic flow in the area whilst demolishing & constructing the replacement bridge
  • Construct the new concrete bridge abutments and pier, creating a new 2-span road bridge over the river Coe
  • Fabricate & install a new steel girder bridge
  • Pour new reinforced concrete deck to support the new tarmac double carriageway and footpath
  • Installation of a Scottish Water sewer, suspended on the underside of the new bridge
  • Installation of rock armour to act as future scour protection for the new embankment alignment
  • Bridge finishing works such as parapet barrier works and vehicle restraint barriers

During the design & delivery stages of our project, we identified and implemented the following value engineering and efficiency ideas:

  • Early specialist temporary works designer involvement to help develop working methodology
  • Early engagement with specialist environmental consultants to advise on methodologies and to conduct continual site audits of our working practices
  • Good communication with local residents to ensure awareness and information on the works was widespread to reduce impact

Story worked in conjunction with DYW- West Highland to engage with young school pupils who are interested in construction and to give them an insight into the industry within Scotland. Our project team welcomed a site visit from S4 pupils from Lochaber High School with a second visit from Kinlochlevan High School soon after.

The visits consisted of a guided tour of the work and the opportunity to learn more about the rewarding careers available in the engineering industry. The team have held a number of careers talks, site visits, mock interviews, CV workshops, and work experience days.

The projects success was dependent on meeting a tight marine license deadline on the 14th of April 2022. All piling and in-channel work such as demolition had to be completed before the above date. The hard work and determination from the site team, along with our supply chain and dedicated sub-contractors meant we completed all necessary works 2 days before the deadline.

Carrying out highly intrusive temporary and permanent works within a tidal river required extensive planning and programming to work around tide times, avoid delays and hit target dates. We developed an approach system to access the central pier during high tides.

10,000m3
Of stone imported for the temporary road

Over 800m3
Of concrete in the new structure

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