New Access Bridge for New Birmingham Hospital.

Thomas Consulting, working closely with APC Engineers of Blackpool have recently completed the design of a new 180m long pedestrian access bridge linking the new Birmingham Hospital to the existing oncology unit. The project has involved the resolution of difficult technical and timescale challenges.

The new bridge passes over an area of the hospital site that contains busy car parking as well as a busy existing access road. The proposed method of construction required a solution that would minimise disruption to these areas.

To engineered solution had to;
• Satisfy the critical site restraints.
• Solve the complex technical issues.
• Be constructed within tight deadlines.
• Meet demanding Health and Safety Requirements on a busy congested site.

The bridge has to provide covered, insulated, weather protection for patients and visitors. Through Lattice trusses were chosen as the preferred deck solution with clear spans of 25m. Each. The deck design met the above requirements as well as providing a practical and economic construction solution.

Each span was constructed in two 12.5m segments and all sections were fully fabricated off site. Each section was then transported to site to be bolted together and lifted into place. The segmental approach to constructing the bridge has achieved significant time savings as well as reducing the onsite work required.

Construction is well advanced and the last of the deck sections are to be placed shortly. The project is scheduled for completion early in 2010.

http://www.uhb.nhs.uk/NewHospital/