Goole swing bridge relieves congestion

Butterley has completed the installation of a new cable-stayed swing bridge at Goole in Yorkshire, which should help to relieve congestion on the A161. The bridge spans the Dutch River and replaces a narrow width swing bridge which used to lead to vehicle tail-backs.

The new bridge features a steel deck with a central swinging span of 45m that pivots at one end and can be opened to allow water vessels to pass. An 800t mobile crane lowered sections of the deck into place this summer.

The bridge has a main span of 45m, incorporates a 7.3m wide carriageway and 2.3m wide footway and includes 225t of steelwork. The design and build team included structural designer Cass Hayward and contractor Birse.

Butterley Sales Manager Stephen Ince said: “The design of this bridge helps to protect the main bearing so that it only takes the weight of the structure when it swivels. Consideration has been given to whole-life costing on this project as the bridge is envisaged to last a minimum of 120 years.” The total project value of the bridge construction is £4.75M.