Bridges will carry waste away from the river to protect the Thames from pollution

Leading bridge and engineering services specialist Mabey Bridge is installing two temporary bridges to support the Thames Tideway Tunnel project – a major new sewer that will tackle the problem of overflows from the capital's Victorian sewers and protect the tidal River Thames from pollution. The new bridges are needed to transport tonnes of construction waste away from the riverside to barges, which will then carry it to disposal sites.

The 90-metre, three-span bridges will be in place for a minimum of five years, carrying thousands of trucks leaving the tunnelling construction. The modular bridges have been manufactured in Gloucestershire before being delivered flat-packed for assembly on site. They will connect land to a temporary pontoon structure to ensure the construction process is not delayed by tide conditions.

Mabey was selected for the £1.2 million contract by Ferrovial Agroman and Laing O’Rourke, who are working in joint venture to deliver the £746 million Central section. The Mabey Compact 200™ pre-fabricated modular steel bridge was chosen over a bespoke solution for its versatility and quick assembly on site.

Mabey will also be installing devices to monitor the number of vehicles crossing the bridge and the performance of the structures in real-time. This data will allow engineers to pre-plan maintenance and minimise any down-time.

Michael Treacy, CEO of Mabey Bridge, said: “There has been a rigorous process to ensure the full supply chain is best-in-class, and we’re delighted that our ability to deliver critical infrastructure quickly, safely and efficiently has been recognised. We look forward to playing our part in helping the UK to meet European environmental standards and protect the heart of London.”