GBM UK demolishes 449 tonne bridge in colliery regeneration.
UK demolition contractor GBM was awarded the contract to undertake the demolition of Cowley Bridge in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The project was a key aspect of the regeneration of the closed Smithy Wood Colliery in order to develop the “brownfield” site, which had high economic value for the Sheffield area due to its location close to the M1. The regeneration project has been awarded £3 million of Objective 1 assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.
The project involved the demolition of a 449 tonne bridge with a 43 metre single-span. The demolition required the overnight closure of the A629, which the bridge spanned. A team of four 360 machines was used to complete the demolition of the concrete deck bridge, allowing the bridge to be demolished completely in-situ, and to facilitate the removal of the waste material.
The planning of the demolition work also had to ensure the protection of the road surface of the A629 which ran directly under the Cowley Bridge. During the demolition process the surface of the A629 was protected by placing steel plates across the carriageway, which were then covered in 1 metre of hardcore ensuring the road surface and the local telecommunication services were protected and fully operational at the end of the project.
The project had a tight 32 hour time frame to work, which had to be met to reduce the effects of further road closures on the local traffic infrastructure. The project was completed on time and the A629 was even re-opened 18 hours ahead of schedule.
