Construction Consultancy Services have overseen the design and installation works at New Elvet Bridge.
The bridge was built in the 1970s. The design of the bridge included ‘Half Joints’ which support the central span of the bridge over the river. Survey work in 2014: reported significant deterioration of the concrete to the half joints. Half joints are notoriously problematic and no longer used in new bridge design. The bridge needed major repairs to restore its structural integrity and keep it safe. New Elvet Bridge bears an average traffic flow of around 20,000 vehicles per day.
The benefits that this project will bring:
- add another 100 years to the lifespan of the bridge
- prevent an emergency unplanned closure, or catastrophic failure of the half joints
- keep one of the major routes and core river crossings functional in Durham for decades to come
Work included:
- refurbish the north deck half joint
- remove the south deck half joint and make the deck continuous this side
- carry out concrete repairs throughout bridge
- implement cathodic protection system to prevent metal corrosion
- to work on the half joints, the whole central deck needs to be lifted on a temporary support structure
- works will take 14 months to complete – Balfour Beatty have been appointed under the Scape Framework to carry out the works
Overall budget cost: £8.5 to £9 million including wider improvements. Funding is from the Department of Transport Challenge Fund and ourselves.