Focus On: Lambeg Footbridge Refurbishment Works

Title: Lambeg Footbridge Refurbishment Works

Principal Contractor: FP McCann Ltd.

Contracts Manager: Seamus O’Sullivan

Principal Designer: Doran Consulting

FPM Lambeg Bridge Refurbishment Newly Installed Bridge

FP McCann Rail division have successfully completed the Lambeg Railway Station footbridge refurbishment project on behalf of Translink/NI Railways, which involved not only strengthening and repairing the structure, but also improving aesthetics and lighting.

As part of Translink/NI Railways commitment to improving its infrastructure assets, a number of legacy structures were identified as requiring improvement and/or development to better meet the needs of the current NI Railway network users. The footbridge at Lambeg Railway Station was one of the structures identified by Translink/NI Railways assessed to require refurbishment in order to extend its lifespan and improve its service performance for pedestrian users.

To facilitate the footbridge refurbishment, FP McCann were required to Design and Construct a Temporary Foot Bridge structure to maintain unhindered access throughout the entirety of the programmed works period for the Lambeg Station Rail Passengers. For the Temporary Bridge Structure FP McCann completed enabling works including but not limited to surveying, de-vegetation, re-routing and installation of new electrical supplies as well as ground investigation works on the rail platforms over a number of nightshifts.

On behalf of FP McCann, Design ID and Advanced NI Scaffolding completed the Temporary Works Bridge Design utilising a ‘Layher’ Scaffolding System. Once approved the temporary scaffold bridge structure was constructed offsite in sections and later transported to site whereby through the use of a 150t mobile crane during weekend nightshift rail and road possessions it was craned into position, fully erected, with a build tolerance of +/- 10mm both longitudinally and vertically and commissioned for use.

After construction and commissioning of the temporary bridge structure, the existing footbridge was then segmentally cut and again through use of a 250t mobile crane was craned out and transported away for offsite refurbishment. FP McCann appointed Woodburn Engineering to complete the offsite bridge refurbishment, a specialist steel fabrication company with over 30 years’ experience completing major projects across the UK and Ireland.

The existing bridge structure was shot blasted to SA2.5, structural steel repairs across the entirety of the bridge structure were completed, new steel sections were added to improve both the aesthetics and function of the bridge and finally the structure was fully repainted.

Stainless steel mesh panels were not only provided and used to improve the aesthetics of the structure when reinstalled, but also to improve the functionality of the bridge by permitting and therefore encouraging light spread across the structure at night thereby increasing safety for bridge users. In addition to the structural refurbishment of the footbridge, FP McCann commissioned Braham Electrical to supply and install new high quality LED lighting both to the structure, as well as incorporating it into the refurbished handrails.

Upon completion of the offsite refurbishments, the bridge structure was then transported back to site craned into position and fully reassembled and commissioned before the temporary structure was removed, again all during weekend nightshift rail and road possessions. As well as the works to the bridge structures, FP McCann utilising our own rail competent staff and operatives installed new platform drainage, fencing and landscaping as well as completing platform resurfacing works around the completed refurbished bridge structure.

To facilitate the erections and de-erections of the bridge structures, FP McCann undertook a liaison process with a number of bodies key to the delivery of the project, such as NI Railways Projects Division, NI Rail Operations, DfI Roads Division, Northern Ireland Electricity and other main utility providers.

FP McCann are grateful and would like to extend thanks to all those within the Lambeg community, especially those lineside residents for their patience and support during which this essential improvement work was successfully carried out and delivered without impact on Translink/NI Railway services or passengers.