road-bridge
Mar 11, 2025
New Civil Engineer (Bridge)
The construction of the New Wear Footbridge in Sunderland has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the last of 91 deck planks, which will create the structure’s walking surface.
This bridge, designed to improve connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, is a vital element of the broader £1bn Riverside Sunderland development project.
The deck planks, measuring 10m in width, were installed by contractor VolkerStevin using a specially designed trolley system that enhances efficiency in the construction process. Each plank was lifted by crane from the southern riverside park and carefully placed onto the trolley, which transported it to the desired location on the bridge.
The bespoke trolley system, equipped with winches, played a pivotal role in the bridge’s construction, allowing workers to move from south to north and safely and precisely install the planks while providing access to the edges for secure placement.
The trolley system at work
After positioning, the planks were secured together
Now all planks are in position, they are being secured together using in-situ concrete to create a seamless deck surface. This is the first stage of the finishing works for the bridge.
Spanning over 250m and standing 30m above the River Wear, the New Wear Footbridge will serve as a crucial connection point between Sunderland city centre and the Sheepfolds area.
Upon completion, the footbridge is anticipated to significantly enhance pedestrian and cyclist access in Sunderland, aligning with the city’s goals for active travel and low carbon initiatives.
Placement of the 91 planks started in January
Sunderland City Council portfolio holder for business, housing and regeneration Kevin Johnston said: “The laying of the final plank is a significant milestone for this incredibly important project, which is a key part of Sunderland’s ongoing transformation.
“To get all 91 of these mammoth, steel reinforced pre-cast concrete deck planks put in place so quickly and efficiently in just over one month is testament to the skill and know-how of our partners at VolkerStevin, who are delivering this project that will provide a fantastic new link between a vibrant Keel Square and newly-created Sheepfolds neighbourhood.
“Sunderland has a proud history of construction and engineering innovation, so to see this tailor-made trolley working effortlessly, carrying tons of steel-reinforced concrete with such accuracy and precision in our city is a real point of pride.
“Credit must go to the crews who have worked tirelessly on the new footbridge. They worked throughout the storms that buffeted the UK, including Storm Eowyn that struck just as the deck plank installation operation was about to begin.
“I can’t wait to see this bridge open, as it will not only provide a vital link in our city, but it will also provide a bird’s eye view of the ongoing development of Riverside Sunderland, the most exciting urban regeneration project in the UK.”
VolkerStevin project manager Will Davies said: “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement for the entire team. Installing the final deck plank marks a significant step towards the completion of this landmark structure. Despite challenging weather conditions, the team has worked tirelessly to keep progress on track, and we’re excited to see the bridge take its final shape in the coming months.”
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Roads & Bridges
Maryland Plans $160M Safety Upgrade For Bay BridgeThe Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced Monday it has completed a long-awaited safety assessment of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, concluding that its piers require added protection to meet modern voluntary safety guidelines.
The review follows national scrutiny after the March 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which killed six people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that tragedy could have been prevented with stronger pier defenses and called on agencies nationwide to assess similar bridges.
MDTA, which owns both the Key and Bay bridges, spent $600,000 on the Bay Bridge study. The agency concluded it needs to reinforce the piers with updated protections such as new fenders and "dolphins"—concrete-and-rock barriers designed to absorb or deflect ship impacts.
The proposed upgrades are estimated to cost $160 million. While the Bay Bridge currently meets federal requirements for legacy structures, MDTA said the improvements align with voluntary recommendations set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Shorter-term mitigation strategies may include updated vessel communication protocols, reduced speeds and one-way ship transits, but MDTA said tug escorts are not currently under consideration.
With the twin spans of the Bay Bridge nearing replacement age, MDTA Chief Engineer Will Pines previously noted that new protective infrastructure could be reused in a future bridge.
The NTSB listed the Bay Bridge among 68 at-risk bridges nationwide that could benefit from enhanced pier protection.
Source: Maritimeexecutive.com, Marylandmatters.orgroad-bridge
22 April 2025
Roads & Bridges
Major Florida Bridge Makes ProgressConstruction is well underway on the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge, a $90.8 million infrastructure project that began in spring 2023 and is slated for completion by summer 2026.
The bridge, which connects Fort Myers Beach to Lover’s Key along Estero Boulevard, is being built on the Gulf side of the existing span. When finished, the 60-foot fixed-span bridge will offer enhanced pedestrian and cyclist access with dedicated bicycle lanes, a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side and a 10-foot shared-use path on the south.
Motorists continue to use the current bridge while construction progresses. Once complete, the old bridge will be demolished and repurposed as part of an offshore artificial reef.
The bridge is being constructed by Superior Construction Co. Southeast LLC under a contract with Lee County. Drone footage reveals the scale of the project, offering a glimpse of the future of coastal connectivity.
The new bridge is designed with a 75-year lifespan and includes utility relocation for both Lee County and Bonita Springs, according to the contractor.
Source: News-Press.com, Yahoo Newsroad-bridge
17 April 2025
Highway News
Southampton Secondary School Students Secure Funding For Their Active Travel And Road Safety CampaignsSouthampton City Council welcomed students from six secondary schools in the Southampton area to the first Modeshift Active Travel Ambassador event.
The event was opened by the Southampton-born, Team GB paralympic gold medallist, Aaron Phipps MBE who praised the students for being role models. Aaron won Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in Wheelchair Rugby and spoke to students about his awe-inspiring journey, overcoming adversity and showing incredible resilience.
Aaron Phipps, MBE, said: “It was a pleasure to meet so many enthusiastic children from Southampton schools and hearing their really innovative ideas for active travel campaigns. I fully applaud and respect their efforts to get their school community out of cars and walking and wheeling to their school. It was great to hear that my speech at the event about what I have achieved in my life really inspired them to double their efforts and make their active travel campaigns a success. I wish them all the very best of luck!”
The Active Travel Ambassador (ATA) programme gives young people aged 11 upwards the confidence and skills to tackle the transport issues affecting their school. Schools have been supported by Modeshift’s ATA Coordinator and Southampton City Council’s and Hampshire County Council’s School Travel Team Officers to help them research and develop behaviour change campaigns, focusing on active travel and road safety which they presented to a panel of experts to secure funding to deliver their campaigns.
Students and staff from Oasis Academy Sholing, Redbridge Community School, St Anne’s Catholic School, St George Catholic College, Woodlands Community College and Noadswood School, all travelled sustainably to the event by walking, taking the bus or train. Those travelling by train to the event were supported by the Hampshire Community Rail Partnership with free rail tickets.
The student ambassadors passionately presented a range of ideas to address the issues they identified, including: campaigns to stop parents/carers’ vehicles idling outside of the school gate and to promote and encourage more students to cycle to school. Other campaigns focused on improving mental health through more active journeys, running inter school active travel competitions, engaging staff to travel more sustainably to school, and holding a sponsored walk to raise money to support further campaigns.
The thorough presentations and campaign ideas impressed the panel members, who then questioned the students about their campaigns. The panel decided that every school should receive £200 from Modeshift to deliver their campaigns and to build on the excellent work they had already completed.
The standout campaign, and an additional £50 of funding, was awarded to St George Catholic College for their ideas of creating active travel ‘bingo’ cards to motivate students to be more active throughout the day, using journey tracking apps to run an inter class active travel competition, and holding a teacher versus teacher ‘Olympics’ to raise funds for more prizes for active travel competitions.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I was delighted to be able to take part in this fantastic event and it is so encouraging to see our city’s students talk so confidently and passionately about active travel, road safety and air quality. The students have clearly worked hard to identify the travel issues local to their school and develop targeted campaigns to resolve these issues. With the funding provided by Modeshift, the students have a fantastic opportunity to be the voice of change within their schools and I look forward to seeing the delivery and impact of their campaigns”.
Ross Butcher, the Chair of Modeshift said: “The Modeshift Active Travel Ambassadors programme empowers secondary school pupils by giving them the skills and confidence to tackle travel issues in their school. They are working incredibly hard to promote the benefits of walking, cycling and wheeling, acting as active travel role models to their friends and peers and leaving a legacy in their school community.”
Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council both offer schools free travel planning support to identify barriers to active travel and road safety issues, and then jointly work with schools to resolve these issues through a range of behaviour change initiatives, campaigns and activities.
PIC-SOUTHAMPTON CCroad-bridge
16 April 2025
Highway News
National Highways Lifts More Than A Thousand Miles Of Roadworks For EasterAs normal for major holiday getaways, National Highways is lifting 1,127 miles of roadworks over the bank holiday.
The government says around 97.5% of major roads across England will be completely free from roadworks, “speeding up millions of journeys and boosting connectivity across the country to drive growth – the key priority in the government’s plan for change”.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “We are tackling the real problems that drivers face by lifting 1,127 miles of roadworks over Easter and cracking down on disruptive streetworks to make journeys to see loved ones as smooth as possible.
“Cutting journey times and saving drivers money every year is all part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.”
Significant routes seeing roadworks being lifted or completed in time for the Easter getaway include:
(Picture – DfT)road-bridge
16 April 2025
financial express
India’S Road Will Be Better Than That Of Us In Next 2 Years, Says Nitin GadkariRoad Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday announced that the long-delayed Mumbai-Goa highway will finally be completed by June 2025. Speaking at an event, Gadkari also asserted that India’s road infrastructure will surpass that of the United States within the next two years.
“There were numerous difficulties with the Mumbai-Goa highway. But do not worry, we will complete the road 100 per cent by this June,” Gadkari assured, adding that the highway will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Goa while boosting economic development in the Konkan region. Gadkari further said that in the next 18 months, India’s road infrastructure will be better than that of the United States of America.
“Infrastructure development is very important for India…I am working to accelerate the pace of highway construction in the country to 100 km per day,” he said, adding that the highways ministry will construct 25,000 km two and four-lane highways in coming years. “There is no dearth of money for the highways projects,” Gadkari said.
The pace of highway construction in the country touched a record of 37 km per day in 2020-21. The highways ministry constructed 10,237 kilometres in 2019-20, 13,435 kilometres in 2020-21, 10,457 kilometres in 2021-22, 10,331 kilometres in 2022-23 and 12,349 kilometres in 2023-24.
The Mumbai-Goa highway project has faced multiple delays over the past decade, with the most recent deadline of December 2023 also missed. Locals, lawmakers and civic organisations have consistently raised concerns about the unfinished work.
Explaining the reasons behind the long delay, Gadkari cited complex land acquisition issues, particularly legal disputes and ownership battles among family members. “There were fights among brothers, court cases and hurdles in providing compensation for land. But these matters have now been resolved and the project has gained momentum,” he said.
He admitted that both the Delhi-Jaipur and Mumbai-Goa highways had become black spots for the ministry, but emphasised that efforts are being made to change that.
Gadkari also outlined other major infrastructure plans, including work on the Delhi-Mumbai and Surat-Chennai highways. “The Delhi-Mumbai highway will link to Surat and from there, a new highway will extend all the way to Chennai via Nasik, Ahmadnagar and Solapur. This means travellers going south no longer need to pass through Mumbai or Pune,” he explained, adding that the vision of seamless travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is close to being realised.
Highlighting the scale of his ministry’s work, Gadkari said that 57 express highways are currently being constructed across the country with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crore.
He also teased a major overhaul in toll collection, saying a new policy will be announced within the next 15 days. “Physical toll booths will soon be a thing of the past. Once the new policy is in place, there will be no reason for anyone to complain about tolls,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)road-bridge
15 April 2025
Highway News
Aberdeen’S Hydrogen Buses Off The RoadIt’s emerged a fleet of double-decker hydrogen-powered buses have been out of service since last July because of maintenance of the city’s refuelling infrastructure.
The Press and Journal newspaper says the two city-operated hydrogen refuelling stations used by the fuel cell-powered buses were taken off line at the same time for maintenance work that would extend their lifetimes.
The report says the fleet was the first of its kind when launched in 2021 but that the infrastructure to support it is “aging”.
The report quotes Aberdeen City Council responding to a Freedom of Information Request from the newspaper which says the work being done will “ensure supply can be continued to meet the demand of our growing fleet”.
(File picture – supplied with a FirstBus release)road-bridge
15 April 2025
Highway News
Nped Launches New Campaign For Safer And Fairer RoadsThe founder of the National Persistent Evaders Database of drivers has launched a new Drive Legal campaign, described as a national movement dedicated to tackling the pressing issue of non-compliant vehicles on the UK’s roads.
Alan Wood, the CEO of NPED says ten million vehicles across the nation are non-compliant, contributing to criminal activity, anti-social behaviour, and placing substantial financial burdens on both law-abiding motorists and the exchequer.
He lists key concerns around a lack of Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), no valid MOT certificate, absence of vehicle insurance, unregistered or illegally plated vehicles and the use of cloned and ghost number plates.
Mr Wood says the presence of these vehicles threatens the integrity, safety, and efficiency of our roads network which is the cornerstone of UK transportation. The Drive Legal campaign is bringing together organisations like yours, parking operations, and the public to form one powerful collective voice for change.
“By joining the Drive Legal campaign, you will have the opportunity to become part of the collective voice for increased compliance and fairness for all road users and participate in education initiatives to reshape public perceptions and practices concerning vehicle compliance,” Mr Wood said. “This will help create a safer, more equitable driving environment that benefits everyone.”
“Together, we can redefine how the nation approaches vehicle compliance and create impactful, long-lasting change.”
You can sign up here.
Mr Wood has previously described NPED as “Santa’s naughty list, but for cars,” identifying vehicles sought for non-payment of parking tickets and linking them to other offences such as no MOT, insurance or vehicle excise duty. You can hear more about it on a Highways Voices podcast here.
(Picture – NPED)road-bridge
15 April 2025
Highway News
£3.5M Of Road Improvements To Begin In East Riding To Help Protect Against PotholesRoad improvements worth £3.5m are due to be carried out in the East Riding this spring and summer to help protect against potholes and other damage.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is investing the money in its annual surface dressing programme, which is set to begin on 23 April and is expected to take 13 weeks to complete, weather depending.
The highway maintenance programme will cover all types of roads, from A roads to unclassified roads, and will see 151 sections of road in the area (around 67 miles) upgraded – which is the same as paving a straight road from Beverley to Nottingham.
Around 12,600 tonnes of stone chippings will be laid on road surfaces during the spring and summer operation.
Surface dressing is a fast and cost-effective method of fixing, preserving and prolonging the lifespan of a road, and it is carried out annually by the council’s own highways maintenance team.
The process actively reduces the risk of potholes forming as it seals the road and stops water from entering and damaging the surface. It also greatly improves skid resistance for vehicles.
The process is carried out during the spring and summer months as it requires warmer temperatures for the bitumen and chippings to take effect.
Adam Holmes, the council’s director of infrastructure and facilities, said: “Thanks to residents and motorists for bearing with us while we carry out our annual surface dressing programme.
“Our teams will be out in around 150 locations over the next three months carrying out a vital job to help protect these sections of road from potholes and other damage.”
During and after the work, temporary 20mph speed limits are in force on the treated roads to reduce the possibility of vehicles skidding on the loose chippings and will be removed when the new road markings have been installed.
Disruption to traffic will be kept to a minimum, but drivers are asked to respect the 20mph speed limit, in place to protect both the travelling public and the council’s workforce.
Residents and drivers will be informed before the works begin. A leaflet will be sent to residents impacted by the works and advance warning signs will be placed on the roads beforehand.
After the surfacing dressing is complete, any loose stone chippings left behind won’t go to waste.
Mechanical road sweepers are used to collect up all the loose chippings, which are then stored.
Then every two years the council hires a giant industrial washing and grading machine to clean all the loose chippings so they can be recycled and reused on the roads the following year.
The process recycles more than 7,000 tonnes of chippings and saves around £60,000 of council tax payers’ money.
PIC and VIDEO-EAST RIDING COUNCILroad-bridge
15 April 2025
Highway News
More Than £8 Million To Improve Roads In 2025/26More than £8 million will be spent on making the streets of Brighton & Hove better, safer and smoother over the next year.
Councillors will be presented with a report at Cabinet next week that sets out our plans for improving roads, pavements and other transport infrastructure.
They’ll also be asked to agree the planned maintenance programme for the next 12 months.
Brighton & Hove has over 390 miles of roads and cycle lanes and 750 miles of pavement. Every year the council receives funding from the government for transport schemes.
The Local Transport Plan 2025/26 sets out how the £8.366 million the council received this year will be spent.
While the plan sets out the council’s work over the next 12 months, it will run alongside a wider programme, which includes our Bus Service Improvement Plan, Active Travel funding and £6.5 being spent on streetlighting and infrastructure projects – totalling almost £20 million.
The council said it will #be taking a strategic approach’ to tackle the maintenance backlog caused by years of underinvestment.
The £2.1 million reactive maintenance funding will look to address the most serious potholes first, while also taking a longer-term approach to help to prevent potholes forming in the first place, it said.
It costs approximately £200 per square metre to repair a pothole, compared with £10 per square metre to carry out maintenance and prevent them from happening in the first place.
As well as tackling the condition of the road network, the council will also be working to make the roads safer, accessible and encourage more active and sustainable travel.
£1.2 million will help to deliver the city’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, including active travel schemes on the A23 and the A259 seafront road.
Brighton Council will also be investing £125,000 into its popular Beryl BTN Bikes and cycle parking.
£325,000 will be spent on its School Streets and Safer, Better Streets schemes, making our roads, crossings and junctions safer, especially outside schools. Another £75,000 will be used to reduce collisions in the city.
£200,000 will make Brighton streets more accessible, with more dropped kerbs and improving public rights of way.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport, Parking and Public Realm, said: “Tackling potholes and improving our roads is a key priority for this council.
“We’ve had many years of underinvestment, which has led to a huge backlog in repairs and maintenance. The condition of our road surfaces is unacceptable, but this plan will see us prioritise the areas most in need of improvement over the next 12 months.
“I welcome the large increase in grant funding for road maintenance announced by central government. This means Brighton & Hove has up to £1.6 million more this year compared with last year to spend on roads, pavements and other highway assets, and we’ll continue to ask for more.
“While we’re fixing problem areas, we’ll also be investing in the future. We’ll be making roads and junctions safer, especially those outside our schools, improving accessibility and creating infrastructure to encourage more people to make active and sustainable travel choices.
“We’re updating our reactive highways maintenance policy and ensuring our reporting is open to all. This means we’ll be a more responsive council, where residents can more easily see the action we’ve taken to improve our roads and pathways across the city.
“With more, we can do more.”road-bridge
15 April 2025
Highway News
Rac Predicts Busiest Easter Bank Holiday On The Roads In Three Years With 19M Trips ExpectedRAC is predicting a ‘hat-trick of hold-ups’ as around 2.7m trips are planned on Thursday 18, Good Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April.
This year’s Easter bank holiday weekend could be the busiest since 2022 – the first full getaway after COVID lockdowns – with more than 19m leisure journeys planned, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX.
Research suggests traffic will be equally severe on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with drivers planning around 2.7m trips every day during that period. The number of trips planned drops slightly on Easter Sunday to 2.5m, before increasing again to a further 2.7m on bank holiday Monday as millions of people return home – ahead of most school terms beginning the next day.
A further 6.2m journeys are anticipated at some point over the Easter bank holiday weekend, but drivers planning these trips are still unsure exactly when they’ll travel – with the notorious British weather likely to be a big factor.
INRIX expect Thursday 17 to be the worst day for traffic when jams are likely to increase by nearly a third (30%) more than usual. On this day, INRIX are predicting delays of more than an hour on the 35-mile clockwise stretch of the M25 between J7 for Gatwick Airport and J16 for the M40 to the West Midlands, around 11:45am. The M6 north of Chester and M25 clockwise towards Godstone in Surrey could also see long delays in the evening.
Meanwhile, on Good Friday, the lengthiest hold-ups are expected between 11am to 1pm, meaning drivers are advised to start their trips as early as possible in the morning or delay them until later in the afternoon. Two popular routes to the West Country – the A303 westbound to Stonehenge and the M5 southbound between J15 at the RAC tower north of Bristol and J23 for Bridgwater – could be affected by some of the longest jams, with journey times extending to 43 minutes and one hour 20 minutes respectively – more than half as long as usual.
For those returning from the West Country on Easter Monday 21 April, delays of nearly an hour (58 minutes) are expected around 2:30pm on the M5 northbound between J25 for Taunton and J16 at the RAC tower. Elsewhere, the M25 anticlockwise between J4 from Bromley and the Dartford Crossing will be hit with queues at lunchtime, with journeys taking over half an hour longer than normal.
(Pic: Yay Images)road-bridge
14 April 2025Highway News
Reading Mp In Talks About ‘Dangerous’ Slip RoadsAn MP says she has had a “constructive conversation” with National Highways about two “dangerous” slip roads.
Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has been campaigning for safety improvements to the A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon, and has spoken about it in the House of Commons.
After a site visit to meet officials, she said they discussed implementing safety improvements in the short term and undertaking a full safety review of the A34 in the long term.
Greg Stone, route manager for National Highways, confirmed work would start soon.
Ms Bailey, who is concerned about the slip roads being too short and having poor visibility, arranged for a survey to be carried out into the problem junctions, and said 450 people had been in contact. It found 96% of residents agreed that the slip roads were dangerous, and 91% had personally experienced issues.
She said: “I was grateful for the opportunity to illustrate first-hand the issues that are concerning my constituents, and discuss with the route manager how we can work together to address safety concerns,” adding that she would next appeal to the Department for Transport for a full safety review and “urgent investment” to deliver immediate improvements and more significant works as soon as possible.
MP for Newbury Lee Dillon has previously said the route is “vital” for the region but described the entry slip road at East Ilsley as one of the junctions “putting lives at risk”.
(Pic: National Highways)road-bridge
14 April 2025Roads & Bridges
Kansas Awards $8.1 Million To Boost Rural Road SafetyKansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced last week that 11 rural road projects across Kansas will receive more than $8.1 million in federal funding through the state’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program.
The initiative, part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation (IKE) Program, is aimed at improving safety on rural roadways by upgrading signage, intersections and other critical infrastructure.
“By improving intersections, signage, and other critical roadway features, we are building momentum for a safer, stronger Kansas,” Kelly said in a statement.
The HRRR program is funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, with an additional $1.6 million in local matching funds supporting the selected projects. The 11 projects were chosen from 29 applications requesting nearly $30 million.
“With over 20% of fatal and serious injury crashes occurring on county roads, strong partnerships will be necessary to achieve the goal of zero roadway fatalities,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.
Projects include shoulder additions in Ellsworth, Finney, Meade and Pratt counties; upgraded signage in Osborne and Trego counties; and pavement markings, rumble strips and safety enhancements in several others.
The projects fall under two categories: systemic improvements across multiple roadways or site-specific upgrades targeting high-risk areas.
Source: Kansas Department of Transportation, Ransonfinanicial.comroad-bridge
14 April 2025Highway News
Scotland: Drivers Face ‘Crumbling’ Local Roads Amid Increase In Insurance Claims To Councils Over PotholesDrivers are counting the cost of Scotland’s “crumbling” local road network as pothole-related insurance claims soar. Research by Scottish Labour found that between 2019 and 2023 the number of insurance claims to councils citing poor road maintenance rose by 69 per cent.
Eight local authority areas have seen claims from drivers more than double, while four have seen claims more than triple.
In Glasgow, 2,135 insurance claims were lodged to the City Council citing poor roads maintenance in 2023 – an increase of 97 per cent on the total in 2019.
The number of claims in Edinburgh increased from 221 to 669 in the same period.
During the five year period, more than 27,000 insurance claims were sent to town halls from drivers suffering vehicle damage as a result of poor road maintenance.
Scottish Labour today blamed years of SNP Government budget cuts to councils for the declining state of local roads – and warned the sharp rise in insurance claims will stretch their budgets even further.
“Thousands of drivers every year are left dealing with damage from Scotland’s pothole-ridden roads, despite paying ever-rising Council Tax bills.
“Years of brutal SNP cuts has made it increasingly impossible for councils to deliver the basics, and soaring numbers of insurance claims will only pile on pressure.
“Labour has ended the era of Tory austerity and delivered record levels of funding for Scotland, so the SNP has no more excuses for short-changing councils.”road-bridge
14 April 2025New Civil Engineer (Road)
7.5T Weight Limit To Be Introduced On Deteriorating M48 Severn BridgeNational Highways has announced a new weight restriction for the M48 Severn Bridge, effective from 27 May, after signs deterioration were found during recent inspections of the cables.
Under this limitation, only vehicles weighing up to 7.5t will be permitted on the 1.6km suspension bridge, a decision aimed at ensuring the longevity and safety of the structure.
With these new measures in place, HGVs exceeding the weight limit will be redirected to the Prince of Wales Bridge for journeys between England and Wales. This restriction is expected to divert approximately 3,270 HGVs per day, which constitutes about 10% of the 32,000 vehicles that typically cross the M48 daily.
The bridge, which opened nearly 60 years ago, has seen significant increases in both traffic volume and vehicle weight – HGV sizes have escalated from 22t to as much as 44t, and traffic has surged by 34% since tolls were removed in 2018.
Concerns over the bridge’s capacity to handle these growing demands have prompted ongoing assessments, particularly focused on its main suspension cables, which have suffered from corrosion and fatigue exacerbated by harsh weather conditions. It currently closes when windspeeds exceed 20mph (32km/h).
There are very small spaces between the 5mm wires that form the bridge cable that allow moisture to enter and cause corrosion. The 511mm diameter main cables are routinely opened up and inspected every five years.
In 2022/23, an assessment of the bridge’s main cables was carried out, followed by further laboratory testing, revealing that the main cables are deteriorating and not as strong
In a comprehensive evaluation finished in December 2024, tests revealed that the main cables of the M48 Severn Bridge are deteriorating and no longer possess the strength required for the current loads. Consequently, National Highways recommended the implementation of load restrictions to mitigate further damage to the structure.
This weight limitation is expected to remain in effect for an estimated period of 12 to 18 months, pending further investigations and the development of a medium-term management solution. Plans are underway to utilise Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to enforce the new regulations effectively.
Emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters, and recovery vehicles will still be able to use the M48 Severn Bridge under the new restrictions. However, should unforeseen closures occur on the Prince of Wales Bridge, HGVs over the weight limit will be redirected via an official diversion route using the M5 and M50 motorways.
As National Highways focuses on preserving the structural integrity of the M48 Severn Bridge, the implementation of these weight restrictions highlights the ongoing challenges faced by aging infrastructure in accommodating modern transport demands.
National Highways programme delivery manager Chris Pope said: “Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come.
“Whilst the bridge remains safe, it was not designed and built for today’s levels or weight of traffic. Vehicles have got heavier and traffic levels have increased significantly over the last 60 years putting greater load on the cables.
“As with all our structures, we will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users.
“We’d like to thank drivers for their support and must stress that only heavy goods vehicles up to 7.5t weight should use the bridge.
“Continued use of the bridge by heavier heavy vehicles could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening.”
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14 April 2025New Civil Engineer (Bridge)
Entry Points Into Steel Reuse For Bridges Identified In ‘Groundbreaking’ ReportDetailed analysis of the barriers and opportunities to reuse steel in bridge design has been laid out in a “groundbreaking” new report.
Expedition Engineering has published Steel Reuse in Bridges, which examines the reuse of structural steel in bridge design and construction. Led by Expedition Engineering project director Clotilde Robin and principal researcher Hazel Needham, it provides insights into overcoming barriers to implementing circular economy principles in infrastructure projects.
It also outlines the steel and steel reuse lifecycle to demonstrate how steel can be reclaimed from existing infrastructure assets and the demolition market.
Steel Reuse in Bridges - steel lifecycle diagram
Sustainability
With the construction sector under increasing pressure to decarbonise, the report, which was supported by funding from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), highlights how steel reuse offers a viable, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional recycling methods.
Despite advancements in recycled or “green steel”, the report emphasises that reducing demand through reuse remains a crucial sustainability strategy.
“Simply recycling steel is no longer enough - proactive efforts to reuse existing materials with minimal post-processing will be essential in addressing the climate crisis,” the report says.
NCE has previously reported that steel reuse offers up to 97% embodied carbon savings compared to using new steel and is 10 times less carbon intensive than recycling, according to not-for-profit organisation the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP).
Figures from the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) confirm 99% of all UK structural steel sections are currently recovered, with 86% sent for recycling – typically electric arc furnace (EAF) recycling – and 13% for reuse.
Pathways to reuse
Expedition’s report identifies three key pathways for implementation:
Steel Reuse in Bridges - pathways to reuse
While regulatory constraints, procurement challenges and risk management concerns have historically limited steel reuse adoption, the research is designed to address these issues, providing guidance on material qualification, certification and design life considerations for repurposed steel in bridges.
Key priorities to ensure greater uptake of reused steel in project include “rigorous material testing to confirm the geometry, condition, and structural integrity of reused steel”, the study states.
Fatigue life
“A crucial factor in bridge applications is assessing fatigue life to determine long-term viability,” according to the report. “Certification and compliance processes are expected to evolve, shifting toward a testing-based approach rather than reliance on CE or UK marking for individual components.”
Previous and future fatigue life is another consideration.
“Fatigue can significantly impact the design life of a structure,” the report says. “Current guidance is restrictive about reused steel from and for bridges subject to fatigue. However, with the right level of assessment, inspection and engineering judgement, some reuse is possible.”
The report includes several case studies demonstrating that footbridges emerge as a viable typology for reclaimed steel, due to their lower fatigue sensitivity and the relative ease of implementation, as demonstrated by the Lucie Bréard footbridge in Paris.
Case study: Lucie Bréard footbridge - Paris
The Paris 2024 Olympic games focused on improving accessibility for all, necessitating the construction of a new footbridge - the Lucie Bréard footbridge - over the Canal Saint-Denis to replace a moveable bridge, whose rotating mechanism was prone to failure.
Lucy Bréard Bridge, Paris - a case study by Schlaich Bergermann and Explorations Architecture - copyright Michel Denance
The design team proposed reuse of the main span of the road bridge as the new pedestrian and cycle footbridge.
The alignment would be altered and the level raised by 5.5m above water to allow for commercial navigation.
The reused span is a 52m-long and 13m-wide orthotropic steel box girder.
A visual inspection and non-destructive tests confirmed that the structure was in good condition and due to the limited in-use service life of only 20 years, the bridge was not near the end of its fatigue life.
Parts of the foundations were also reused. New parts included the ramps and stairs, as well as the replacement of the deck edges that were corroded and not adequate to support the new balustrade. Other areas with signs of corrosion were repaired.
A barge, jack-up system and self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) were used to install the 280t bridge in two days.
The availability of the as-built drawings and justifications, the client’s support and ownership, and the tight programme contributed to the success of the project.
The project client was Plaine Commune; the designers and structural engineer was Schlaich Bergermann Partner; the architect was Explorations Architecture; the steel contractor was Eiffage Métal, and the civils and general contractor was Razel-Bec.
Conclusions
Despite the barriers to uptake, Steel Reuse in Bridges indicates that the supply chain for reusable steel is expanding, with fabricators and stockholders such as Cleveland Steel & Tubes playing an increasing role.
“The most successful reuse cases occur when clients own both the donor and recipient assets, streamlining logistical and commercial considerations,” said Expedition.
The study points out: “While reused steel is generally more cost-effective than new steel, additional costs may arise from testing, reconditioning, and logistics - particularly when relocating entire bridge spans.”
And it also emphasises the need for a resource-led, iterative approach to design and construction, requiring greater collaboration between designers, engineers, and contractors.
The full report, Steel Reuse in Bridges, can be found here.
NCE has reported separately that ASBP research indicates a critical gap lies in the underutilised role of demolition contractors.
Demolition specialists could be better incentivised to recover steel from buildings, according to ASBP. Meanwhile, pioneering projects and the work of organisations like The Engineers Reuse Collective (tERC) are working towards accelerating reuse in the built environment.
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11 April 2025New Civil Engineer (Bridge)
Skanska Appointed To Replace Rail Bridge Over The M6 In £43M ContractNetwork Rail has confirmed the appointment of Skanska to oversee the replacement of Clifton Bridge in Penrith, under a £43M contract.
The project involves the design, construction and installation of a new 130m single span steel bridge, which is expected to be completed in early 2026.
Clifton Bridge, a vital structure on the West Coast Main Line that crosses the M6 motorway, has been in service for 71 years. However, due to significant deterioration, it has been restricted to only one train crossing at a time, resulting in delays for both passenger services and freight transport between the North of England and Scotland.
Preparatory work for the £60M project began earlier this year, with the existing bridge set to be removed by the end of this year. The new bridge will be constructed nearby and moved into place during a scheduled 15-day blockade of the West Coast Main Line, commencing on 31 December 2025.
This replacement scheme marks the first project Skanska has secured under Network Rail’s five-year North West and Central Framework for Control Period 7, which runs from April 2024 to March 2029.
The planning has involved collaboration with various stakeholders, including National Highways, Westmorland & Furness Council, the Environment Agency, and the National Trust.
Skanska operations director (rail) James Corker said: “Over recent months, we have worked closely with Network Rail to simplify and refine the design and construction methodology, ensuring that it meets budget and programme targets.
“This is a complex project that will be delivered to tight timescales, and we are delighted to have been appointed. It draws on our expertise delivering similar schemes, with close support from our supply chain team.
“We have found ways to reduce cost, time and carbon, including through value engineering to minimise works required in reusing existing bridge support structures, such as abutments and piers. It’s been a really collaborative process and we are now very much looking forward to beginning main construction.”
Significant disruptions to both road and rail services are anticipated during the work. Traffic management measures on the M6 will be in place until the project’s conclusion in 2026, including lane closures which will extend approximately 5 km south of Junction 40, with restrictions reaching lane one on the Northbound side of the motorway.
Additionally, the railway line will undergo closures for two weekends in January 2026 to facilitate the removal and installation of the new bridge. These closures are scheduled from the evening of 2 January to the morning of 5 January, and again from 9 January to 12 January. During this time, the M6 will also be shut in both directions between junctions 39 and 40, further impacting traffic in the area.
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10 April 2025Highway News
Norfolk’S Roads To Get Miles Of Improvements To Prevent PotholesNorfolk County Council’s annual spring and summer road surface dressing programme started this week and will see Norfolk’s roads get a new seal to help prevent potholes forming and extending the life of roads with a new skid-resistant surface to reduce the risk of accidents. The work continues through until September, to take advantage of the warmer weather.
This year 320 miles of Norfolk roads will be dressed, up from 280 miles last year thanks to extra funding received from the Department for Transport for highways maintenance this year
The programme will target high tourism areas and main roads first, so they are complete before the start of the busy summer season. The total programme will cost around £12 million and is a proven pro-active approach to highways maintenance.
Grahame Bygrave, Director of Highways, Transport & Waste said;
“The way that we invest in and maintain the roads across the county is what sees us come out on top for the past two years in the National Highways and Transportation survey for overall customer satisfaction. It’s fantastic to be able to expand the miles of road which will be given a new lease of life this year, benefitting from our proactive highway maintenance approach which is proven to help prevent potholes forming and offers the best value to residents. Maintaining our roads is key to enabling the Norfolk economy to both function and grow, as our highways are vital to every resident, business and visitor to Norfolk.”
Last year, Norfolk was the top performing county council in the country when it came to road repairs. According to Department of Transport statistics, Norfolk County Council fixed 92 percent of repairs reported during 2023/24, and in the same year Norfolk County Council achieved first place overall in the National Highways and Transportation customer satisfaction survey.
Surface dressing uses a waterproofing seal which consists of a thin layer of bitumen and stone chippings which is laid onto the road. This helps prevent water penetration and reduces the number of potholes forming when it freezes.
People living along the routes which are due to be treated will receive notification a day or two before the crews arrive. They will be asked not to park on the road on the day of the surface dressing work, or on the following day when surplus chippings will be swept up. People are urged to drive slowly and considerately across the new surface until it is bedded in, and Highway Teams return to sweep up the loose chippings. This is because the passage of vehicles over the new surface plays an important part in helping the new surface to settle in.
(Pic: Mapillary)road-bridge
10 April 2025Highway News
Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Transport Msc Bursary Scheme To ContinueRees Jeffreys Road Fund will once again be running the Transport MSc Bursary programme for 2025-26. Funding is available for course fees for both full and part time students.
All applications for funding are to be made through one of the 14 universities participating in the scheme, rather than students contacting Rees Jeffreys Road Fund. The deadline for applications is 10am on Friday 27 June 2025. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact universities now to discuss their plans to study for an MSc. More information is available at Bursaries – Rees Jeffreys Road Fund.road-bridge
10 April 2025New Civil Engineer (Road)
£125M Plan Agreed To Improve West Yorkshire’S RoadsApproximately 450 miles of road – 8% of the road network in West Yorkshire – will be repaired and protected, alongside wider highways works, under a new plan to invest £125M over the next two years.
The new plan and its associated funding was approved by regional leaders at a full West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting, as part of the final two years of the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) scheme.
Projects will cover all West Yorkshire’s districts, with each partner council having their own allocation.
The largest part of this funding, totalling £105.2M, will go towards asset management including resurfacing and repairing roads, maintaining structures such as bridges, improving drains and renewing streetlights and signs across the region.
This includes £14.8M from the Local Highways Maintenance Fund announced by government back in December 2024.
Meanwhile £8.3M has been earmarked for the Safe Roads programme, which includes new traffic calming measures and improvements to junctions. A further £10M will go towards network management such as enhancing traffic lights and new pedestrian crossings, while a smaller sum will be used to help develop active travel schemes.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “We know that poor roads in West Yorkshire are a big issue for motorists, causing damage and creating unsafe driving conditions. This funding will be a huge boost to help fix more potholes, repair more roads and improve safety. Ensuring all our roads are safe and well maintained is important for building a better-connected region.”
From April to December last year, the combined authority oversaw the delivery of more than 64 miles of road renewal and almost 135 miles of preventative treatment such as surface dressing, a method of extending a road’s lifespan. Works also repaired nearly 245,000m² of potholes.
The road network in West Yorkshire is over 5,500 miles long.
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09 April 2025Roads & Bridges
Washington Officials Increase I-5 Bridge Budgeting PlanWashington lawmakers have advanced legislation to boost funding for a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River, increasing the amount of toll-backed borrowing to help cover rising construction costs.
The House Transportation Committee approved an amended version of House Bill 1958, authorizing the sale of $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds, over $900 million more than originally proposed. The measure now heads to the Rules Committee for a possible floor vote.
Backers say the increased bonding authority is necessary to ensure the long-delayed project stays on schedule. Others speculate that inflationary costs might also be driving the decisions.
“We think we have enough, but we want to make sure,” said Rep. Jake Fey, the bill’s sponsor, in a statement.
Construction permits are expected by 2026, with work continuing through 2032.
The replacement bridge is estimated to cost between $5 billion and $7.5 billion, with a midpoint estimate of $6 billion. Washington and Oregon have each pledged about $1 billion and secured $2.1 billion in federal grants.
Because Washington will administer the tolling program, it must issue the bonds. The debt will be repaid through tolls, gas taxes and vehicle fees, though the state’s general fund could be used as a backup.
Tolls are projected to generate at least $1.2 billion and could begin on the current bridge in both directions as early as spring 2026.
Source: Washingtonstatestandard.com., OPB.orgroad-bridge
09 April 2025