News / bridge
New arena bridge moves into position
It’s taken more than a year to build, but the new arena bridge has finally been swung into place.
The 63m steel bridge to Arena Island by Temple Meads will be fully installed by February 2016, with 3.5m-wide pedestrian and bike lanes on either side of the road.
Mayor George Ferguson described the new bridge as a “milestone moment” in the construction of the Bristol Arena. He said that the previously isolated arena island was once “useless land” and the new bridge will make it part of the city for the first time.
is needed now More than ever
The bridge is a “milestone moment” says Mayor George Ferguson pictured here with David Warburton from the HCA
The bridge was moved across the river using a pulley system and once it has been secured on the Cattle Market Road side, work can begin on the tarmac road and walkways. Ferguson said the bridge, which will be painted Bristol Blue, will have vegetation planted along the sides to help it blend into the surroundings.
Costing £11 million, the bridge has been constructed on the Arena Island side of the river for more than a year. The 18-metre-wide structure has been funded by the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Work will now begin on the 12,000 seat venue and it is expected to open in 2017.
Ferguson said it was the first major step for the regeneration of the whole area. He added that they are looking into plans for the old Post Office sorting building, which the council purchased earlier this year. While a feasibility study is being conducted he is considering ‘wrapping’ the building to cover it up and they would know within 17 months if the building itself is worth saving in whole or part.
Bridge facts and figures
How big is it? The bridge is approximately 63 metres long and 18 metres wide.
What’s it made of? The bridge is made of around 137 individual pieces of steel. These pieces have been welded together on the arena island site to create the bridge frame, which has just been launched across the river. It has being moved across the river using a pulley-system and, once securely in place, the tarmac road and walkways will be added.
In Numbers: The largest piece of steel weighs 28 tonnes. It features 820 tonnes of structural steel, and has necessitated 200 tonnes of equipment and temporary works to support it. 2.5 tonnes of onsite welding have taken place to date.
There are also 348 metres of concrete piles in the foundations.
And 1258 days of welding and painting