Harsco scaffolding keeps Forth Bridge open

Harsco Infrastructure is carrying out a £710000 contract on Scotland's Forth Road Bridge. Harsco's scaffolding is providing access so that work can be carried out to replace the large bearings, which support each end of the structure, with no disruption to the traffic using the bridge.

Harsco was selected for this contract by Balfour Beatty, Harsco's sales director, Tony Knight said, "Despite its size we wanted to ensure we did not overcomplicate the project. Although we frequently design and produce new products to satisfy individual project requirements, this contract demonstrates our ability to design and construct a bespoke solution for a complex project, primarily using standard products from our range."

The bridge spans the Firth of Forth and connects Edinburgh with Fife. While its centre section is suspended from cables, the approach sections which link this to either side of the Firth rest on large bearings that sit on top of concrete piers. These bearings allow the approach decks to move in response to traffic loading and temperature changes, and it is these that are being replaced.

"This involves the workforce having access to some of the more remote areas of the bridge structure and so our aim was to create a solution which would provide this, whilst still ensuring complete safety," said Mr Knight.

The project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2012.