A team from Spencer Bridge Engineering scooped a prestigious national award
The winning Spencer Bridge Engineering team with, left, Sotiris Kanaris, of awards organiser New Civil Engineer, and, centre, Kerry Evans, representing UK Highways A55 Ltd, and Gary Moore, from Menai Suspension Bridge Asset Manager Vercity Group.(Image: New Civil Engineer)
Hull’s Spencer Bridge Engineering has scooped a prestigious national award for its work on a landmark suspension bridge. The established firm was awarded Bridge Project Team of the Year at the New Civil Engineering Bridges Awards for its complex and challenging work on the 200 year-old Menai Suspension Bridge.
The crossing, which links the mainland of Wales with the Isle of Anglesey and carries about 46,000 vehicles each day, required replacement and painting of 168 wire rope hangers. Spencer carried out the work for UK Highways A55 Ltd, which has operated the bridge for almost three decades, restoring full structural integrity and removing a risk to public safety.
It involved Spencer’s team having to design bespoke equipment to safely remove the existing hangers while protecting the surrounding bridge structure. The team handled the work around traffic using the bridge, and navigated consent requirements for the Grade 1-listed structure which is the second oldest suspension bridge in the world still carrying vehicle traffic.
Spencer’s team have worked on the bridge for several years and are also used to the exposed coastal climate. The hanger replacement project was a collaboration between COWI UK, as permanent works designer, and Fatzer AG, as hanger supplier, as well as specialist manufacturers who were involved.
The firm was honoured with the award in front of leading companies from across the sector during a recent glittering awards ceremony at the Hilton Bankside in London.
Luke Fisher, bridges director at Spencer Bridge Engineering, said: “Winning the Bridge Project Team of the Year Award is a great honour and fitting recognition of the skill, dedication and collaboration shown by everyone involved in this project. To be recognised by New Civil Engineer in such prestigious awards is a fantastic achievement and a testament to everyone involved. Thank you to UK Highways A55 Ltd and COWI, along with our partners, suppliers and everyone who contributed to this project. This is a tremendous accolade for the whole team and one we’re incredibly proud to celebrate.”
The NCE Bridges Awards judges said of the winning Spencer Bridge Engineering entry: “Tasked with replacing 168 hangers on a major suspension bridge whilst keeping a vital crossing operational, this team demonstrated outstanding collaboration, coordinating daily with highway authorities, government stakeholders and key suppliers throughout delivery. Bespoke rig development, prototype testing and detailed sequencing reflect a high level of technical innovation, with lessons learned actively applied to inform approaches on other major national infrastructure projects.”
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