Scotland Footbridge Pirouettes into Place

Recent drivers using Scotland’s busiest motorway were the first to drive under the new iconic footbridge successfully installed by BAM Nuttall.

The 14-hour closure of the M8 motorway commenced with BAM Nuttall, and specialists Mammoet, driving the main span of the 2,420 ton structure down the M8 and into its final location. Moving the unusually shaped 58-meter hourglass structure required meticulous planning to manage a range of challenges. In preparation for the lifting operations, extensive overnight work was required. A range of temporary works were designed to ensure the motorway and other assets were protected.

Joseph McBride, sub agent, discussed one of the main risks: “Below the carriageway runs the Monkland Canal pipeline, which carries 5 million gallons of water a day to the Forth and Clyde canal – enough water to quickly flood the motorway and parts of the city center. To manage this risk, we carefully planned the route to intricately ‘pirouette’ the structure into place, while avoiding the existing assets within close proximity.”

Once in location, the landmark structure was progressively lowered onto the abutments before being jacked down into its final position. A viewing gallery was created to allow up to 20 visitors to watch this complicated operation from a safe vantage point.

Despite the complex route and pressure to get the road open for safe travel, the new weathering steel bridge was installed 3.5 hours ahead of schedule both accident and incident free – which reduced potential disruptions to drivers.

The new cyclist and pedestrian bridge will reconnect north of Glasgow to the nearby city center as part of a £250-million regeneration of the area.