Creative solution helps replacement works on busy motorway bridge

Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire

Project Overview

Location	Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
Sector	Highways
Products	Propping & Jacking

When Highways England engineers identified the need to replace part of the supporting concrete structure on a busy motorway bridge, our engineers worked closely with the customer to come up with a creative solution to some unusual challenges so that repair work could go ahead.

Construction company Interserve were awarded the contract to replace one of the piers supporting the M62 bridge over the A162 in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire.

The challenge

A new route, essentially a forest track, was identified. This route was wide enough for a small bus but not general traffic but it crossed rivers at two points.

Two temporary bridges were needed to create a reliable, passable route for the school bus and the shuttle bus.

Managing Complex Load Risks

In addition to vertical traffic loads, we accounted for significant horizontal impact forces from potential vehicle strikes. With the pier removed, the deteriorating beams could not withstand a possible 1,950-tonne load.

Heavy-Duty Propping Solution

We supplied 52 tonnes of our Superprop propping system to support the bridge on both sides of the pier. Using 44 Hymat jacks, our hydraulics team safely transferred the load during night closures of the M62.

Safe Removal & Reinstatement

After the pier replacement, our team de-jacked and dismantled the system, ensuring the road beneath the M62 reopened on schedule ahead of Christmas.

Our solution

We supplied 52 tonnes of our strongest propping system, Superprop, to prop the bridge on either side of the pier.

Our hydraulics team and site crew transferred the load to the props using 44 Hymat jacks during night closures of the M62.

Learn more about our propping

The pier was replaced over the following weeks and, in order to make sure the road below the M62 was open on schedule in time for Christmas, the same teams stayed on site to de-jack and dismantle the system.

“From working through a near unsolvable engineering problem with our Technical Services team, to de-mobbing the site in record time and giving us the programme confidence to complete the site before the Christmas break, Mabey Hire contributed all they could to the success of the project.”

Lee Long

Site Agent, InterserveA