Overnight work bridges the gap at airport

The pier was erected in seven steel sections

Caunton Engineering’s erection department recently secured a nighttime possession to erect the final two sections of new 150m long link bridge at East Midlands Airport.

The footbridge was assembled into seven sections on site which required more than 100t structural steelwork. The final two 15m-long elements, each weighing more than 16t, required two mobile cranes – one 80t capacity unit and another 60t crane – to lift the structures into place.

The final sections were lifted into place overnight to minimise disruption at the airport

Caunton’s Erection Manager, Andrew Austin, said: “Working over night meant the intrusion and inconvenience to passengers was kept to minimum.”

The bridge, known as the West Pier, is designed to enable passengers to walk undercover to additional departure gates, serving five aircraft stands on the recently completed apron extension.

The project will provide access to the new apron via the bridge which will connect to a new two-storey extension to the International Departure Lounge.

Working on behalf of main contractor Bowmer and Kirkland Building Services, Caunton is erecting more than 200t of steelwork at the airport.