A temporary modular Acrow bridge has been installed as part of a Network Rail project to replace a crossing over the railway line between Dundee and Aberdeen.
Having closed the existing bridge on Craigo Road in Craigo, the only remaining access to the village was via a three-tonne weight-restricted bridge, making access for most traffic difficult. As a result, the temporary modular Acrow bridge was installed.
Construction on the £3 million replacement bridge project began in September 2024, with the first phase seeing the installation of the temporary bridge and the associated diverted access road and footpath. The project is expected to last six months and will result in a new permanent bridge that will better support the weight of the traffic over the railway.
Acrow’s modular steel bridge was hired to AmcoGiffen, a principal contractor to Network Rail. The bridge is a 33-metre-long Acrow 700XS modular panel bridge with a road width of 4.2 metres and an additional 1-metre-wide external, cantilevered footwalk. Made from 100% steel with epoxy resin anti-skid coated decks, the bridge is designed to carry Eurocode LM1 and LM2 traffic as well as a diverted water pipe.
The bridge was delivered to the site on November 18 and fully assembled within days, then lifted into position with a 750-tonne crane during an overnight rail possession on November 30. Once in position, AmcoGiffen installed Network Rail-compliant edge protection behind the parapets on both the bridge and the footwalk. Acrow’s bridge is expected to be in place until the new permanent bridge is reopened.
Laura Jones, Acrow’s UK business development manager, said, “Easily assembled and rapidly installed, Acrow’s cost-effective temporary bridge was the perfect solution for this important project. When minimising the impact of bridge construction is a priority, Acrow can help deliver projects quickly, safely and efficiently.”
Michael Treacy, CEO of Acrow Global Limited, added, “Transportation agencies, contractors and engineering firms worldwide rely on Acrow for rental bridging and the comprehensive services we provide across all phases of a project. Our safe and reliable hire solutions offer our clients great versatility and can help keep projects on or ahead of schedule.”
