East Cowes Linkspan Bridge

 

Project Type

Linkspan Bridge Refurbishment

Location

East Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK

Date

2016

Team

SPS Technology
SRC Group
Red Funnel

Linkspan bridges are a vital piece of infrastructure, particularly for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry operations. These steel platforms enable vehicles and passengers to transition smoothly between the shore and the ship, especially when dual-deck loading is required.

When these structures begin to deteriorate, as was the case at Red Funnel’s East Cowes linkspan, ports often face the dilemma of how to carry out significant repairs without halting vessel movements or disrupting commercial and passenger services.

Alongside network partners SRC Group, SPS Technology successfully refurbished Red Funnel’s East Cowes linkspan in 2016 using SPS® structural panels. The 220m² bridge deck was reinstated and strengthened a day and a half ahead of schedule, without disrupting the ferry’s scheduled sailings.

Linkspan Bridge Repairs with SPS

  • Blasting commenced on the 36 m steel bridge deck after the worn surface was removed
  • Perimeter bars were welded in place to form 35 cavities, each 20 mm deep
  • Next, 8 mm top steel plates, with factory-applied wearing surface, were welded into place
  • Elastomer was subsequently injected into the cavity creating the fully bonded, load-bearing composite panel

 

Unlike traditional repairs, SPS overlay uses the existing corroded surface as one side of the repair.  This SPS overlay was installed without completely removing the worn steel plate, eliminating the need for overwater scaffolding or full deck replacement.

As a result, the team maintained full sailing operations throughout the project, avoided costly delays or diversions, and kept passengers and freight moving without interruption. They reinstated the entire linkspan, allowing ferries to continue operating on their regular timetable.

”“The key to success was seamless logistics and continual communications between all parties involved. The repair was in a publicly noise-sensitive area, and the bridge remained in constant use. We had to move off the bridge every hour for vessel unloading and loading.”

Ian NashSPST Business Manager
Red Funnel Linkspan refurbishment

”“Maintenance of the regular service to the customers was our key priority. Closely followed by minimising disruption to the local population. SPS was the only way to keep the linkspan bridge open and achieve a first-class permanent repair. [SPST]’s capability and commitment to ‘sweating the details’ of the planning were exemplary. They were absolutely determined that every aspect of the logistical challenges had been considered and resolved before the project started, and this commitment was also evident throughout the period on site, where their team demonstrated the ability to ‘expect the unexpected’ and deal with it effectively. This was particularly important, as the working period coincided with the Christmas holidays. Red Funnel would wholeheartedly recommend SPS for link-span repair to any operator.”

Commodore Mark Slawson OBEFleet and Technical Director, Red Funnel