Forge Island Footbridge
As part of the regeneration development in central Rotherham, the footbridge spans 46m over the River Don. The architectural design of the bridge is inspired by the Bailey Bridge developed by Rotherham born engineer Donald Bailey. Bailey Bridges were used extensively in the Second World War and designed with a lightweight and demountable form, meaning they could be quickly installed as temporary crossings.
The steel footbridge and supporting foundations were delivered to a tight design and fabrication programme with OPS undertaking the full design of the elements, connections and the temporary lifting case. Given the long span and shallow overall depth, detailed analysis was undertaken to ensure the vibration of the bridge was kept within reasonable limits. The supporting foundations and concrete abutments were designed to avoid below-ground obstructions in place from previous structures.
Client: SH Structures
Location: Rotheram, UK
Architect: FaulknerBrowne Architects
Structural Engineer: OPS Structures Ltd
Completed: 2023
