New Bridge over Avon
Leading geotechnical specialist Bachy Soletanche has completed piling work to support a new bridge over the river Avon, which will form a key component of the new A429 Barford Bypass. The £210,000 contract involved the construction of one hundred and four piles to support two abutments and three piers that will carry the weight of the new bridge from the banks of the river.
The continuous flight auger (CFA) piles were all 750mm in diameter, with depth up to 12.7m. Due to the exceptional load pressures that will be placed on the foundations by the steel beam and concrete deck bridge, the piles have been heavily reinforced.
Rob Howarth, Contract Manager at Bachy Soletanche explained:
“The piles constructed to support the bridge over the Avon are subject to large bending moments and shear forces, so we provided extra support for the piles with large, strong reinforcement cages.”
“The cages are inserted into the pile when the concrete is wet, and although they feature in most piling solutions, the cages employed for the Barford Bypass work were much stronger and larger than average.” He added.
The 2.1km road is due for completion in autumn next year and will relieve congestion in the Barford village.