Cumberland Basin bridge

[WarksRobin]

 

From the New Civil Engineer today:

 

Quote

 

Fears of a “catastrophic failure” of a bridge in Bristol have caused the council to bring forward a £50M plan to repair a road network “deteriorating at a significant rate”.

The Cumberland Basin road system acts as the entrance to Bristol City Docks and is currently experiencing traffic levels two and a half times higher than it was meant to when it was built. A report submitted to Bristol City Council’s cabinet stated this is causing an accelerated depreciation of the network, which opened to traffic in 1965 after construction began two years earlier. One structure the report highlighted was the Avon Bridge, which links Cumberland Basin with Ashton Gate on the A3029 Brunel Way over the River Avon. The report stated its design was “no longer approved in the UK for any new proposed highway structures as the potential risk profile of potential catastrophic failure is considered to be unacceptably high”.

It further stated that the bridge consists of a considerable number of inherent high-risk construction design features which include post-tensioning, or half-joints, and tendons in box-beam bottoms. These features coupled with ongoing road-water and gritting salt ingress leakage the bridge has suffered from and its increasing age has given the council no option but to intervene. To help combat extend the lifetime of the bridge, the council has been recommend to approve a £4M plan for inspections and structural maintenance over the next five years.

Major works for the structural maintenance of the bridge outlined in the plan include concrete repairs to half-joints, soffit, bridge piers and main cantilevered bridge spans and the installation of drip rails on each side of the half-joints to stop water tracking onto cantilevered sections. Due to apparent concerns regarding the structural integrity of “half jointed”/post tensioned fixed bridges and to determine the current overall structural condition, the council conducted a post-tensioned special inspection of Avon Bridge in early 2021. Following the completion of this report, urgent works were undertaken in 2022 to re-waterproof and re-surface the bridge deck and replace all four expansion joints to mitigate the issue of water ingress into the structure. The whole Cumberland Basin complex contains a broad range of reinforced concrete structures in which a failed Challenge Fund Bid in 2015 by the council identified a number of concerns. These concerns included issues with elastomeric and roller structural bearings and expansion joints between all elevated structural deck areas, ineffective waterproof membranes throughout all bridge deck areas and a sub-standard parapet system throughout.

Works under the £50M plan for the whole of the complex would include structural concrete repairs, expansion joint replacement, resurfacing and re-waterproofing of bridge decks, bearing condition assessment and potential full bearing replacement, parapet containment barrier railing refurbishment and wholesale railing replacement. Currently over a third of Bristol City Council’s £1M annual structures maintenance budget is spent on the Cumberland Basin network alone. Since the failed Challenge Fund bid, the council’s structures team has been able to use this budget to conduct a small amount of repairs listed above.

Bristol City Council was contacted for comment.

Its report stated: “Significant elements of the Cumberland Basin network are nearing the end of its intended working design life and are now deteriorating at a significant rate. “The overall Cumberland Basin structure complex has deteriorated much faster than originally designed for, given that the current traffic figures are currently over two and a half times the projected traffic figures in 1963-1965 anticipated, with the consequential increase in structural component deterioration. “Given the condition of the Cumberland Basin network, additional capital investment is now required to manage its ultimate depreciation and decline, and to facilitate the emerging Western Harbour Development.”

 

 

 

 

[Erithacus]

All rather topical, what with the aero concrete that has 'suddenly' been discovered as being crumbly and schools shutting just before the big return. In fairness, it was made in the 60s to have a life of a mere 30 years, but has been pressed into longer service than was planned.

Marvin has big plans to renew this end of the Floating Harbour - did he know this was coming? And if the repairs to the Beacon and Gaol Ferry Bridge is anything to go by, the pot of £50 milllion will be a mere deposit on the final cost. And will the impact on traffic and businesses be accounted for? We might see a rather different and unexpected scene in the future, unless the work is quick and the money doesn't run out.

[miser]

Marv's plans for the roads in the area were only a series of crude drawings probably produced by a lowly paid intern. I doubt whether any costings were produced. As to the replacement/repair cost, who can say what inflation will be in 10 years time. Can't see this one being fast tracked.

[nebristolred]

11 hours ago, Erithacus said:

All rather topical, what with the aero concrete that has 'suddenly' been discovered as being crumbly and schools shutting just before the big return. In fairness, it was made in the 60s to have a life of a mere 30 years, but has been pressed into longer service than was planned.

Marvin has big plans to renew this end of the Floating Harbour - did he know this was coming? And if the repairs to the Beacon and Gaol Ferry Bridge is anything to go by, the pot of £50 milllion will be a mere deposit on the final cost. And will the impact on traffic and businesses be accounted for? We might see a rather different and unexpected scene in the future, unless the work is quick and the money doesn't run out.

Just been looking at the time period during which this was used.... I wonder if this could have impact on our very own Dolman Stand? It would fit in the correct timeframe.

[WarksRobin]

3 hours ago, nebristolred said:

Just been looking at the time period during which this was used.... I wonder if this could have impact on our very own Dolman Stand? It would fit in the correct timeframe.

It may be present but hopefully the club have maintained the stand and waterproofing so it should still be serviceable

[italian dave]

17 hours ago, miser said:

Marv's plans for the roads in the area were only a series of crude drawings probably produced by a lowly paid intern. I doubt whether any costings were produced. As to the replacement/repair cost, who can say what inflation will be in 10 years time. Can't see this one being fast tracked.

It might have to be if it’s in the state reported. They suggested on last nights local news that work could start earlier than planned, but that it will take up to 4 years to complete. 

It seems ridiculous that this has to “bid for Challenge funding”. It’s essential infrastructure, not some nice to have. 

[miser]

1 minute ago, italian dave said:

It might have to be if it’s in the state reported. They suggested on last nights local news that work could start earlier than planned, but that it will take up to 4 years to complete. 

It seems ridiculous that this has to “bid for Challenge funding”. It’s essential infrastructure, not some nice to have. 

It's interesting. If it's fast tracked, I would expect to come from a repair budget. Having spent major millions on refurbishment, doubt there will be any will to demolish and replace (Marvs plan).

[italian dave]

14 minutes ago, miser said:

It's interesting. If it's fast tracked, I would expect to come from a repair budget. Having spent major millions on refurbishment, doubt there will be any will to demolish and replace (Marvs plan).

Yes, I think you’re probably right there. I’m not sure to what extent that actually keeps costs down, but it’s easier I’d imagine.

 

[Slippin cider]

Noticed today that Cumberland road has now fully reopened after about 3-4 years …the temporary traffic lights have gone and you can now drive the other way towards Bemmy bridge from the basin (past The Cottage pub) . That’ll give some relief to the A370 on the opposite side .

[t_b]

4 hours ago, Slippin cider said:

Noticed today that Cumberland road has now fully reopened after about 3-4 years …the temporary traffic lights have gone and you can now drive the other way towards Bemmy bridge from the basin (past The Cottage pub) . That’ll give some relief to the A370 on the opposite side .

Nope. There’s a bus gate just past the SS Great Britain turning. So traffic for that end can still access it heading east but that’s it. Traffic remains on Coronation Road

[Slippin cider]

11 hours ago, t_b said:

Nope. There’s a bus gate just past the SS Great Britain turning. So traffic for that end can still access it heading east but that’s it. Traffic remains on Coronation Road

Ah ok , yes I noticed that this morning, no through route towards Bedminster bridge ….how utterly ridiculous.

[slartibartfast]

On 02/09/2023 at 10:30, nebristolred said:

Just been looking at the time period during which this was used.... I wonder if this could have impact on our very own Dolman Stand? It would fit in the correct timeframe.

Better close it now, and using #gaslogic we'll have a sell out every game !

[Erithacus]

And now the M32 bridge over Eastville is crumbling too. Spalled concrete has exposed steel reinforcements and they are rotting merrily. Reports are that £40 million will be needed to repair it. I ask you, where is the council going to find £125million from? The place is falling apart around us.

[CyderInACan]

45 minutes ago, Erithacus said:

And now the M32 bridge over Eastville is crumbling too. Spalled concrete has exposed steel reinforcements and they are rotting merrily. Reports are that £40 million will be needed to repair it. I ask you, where is the council going to find £125million from? The place is falling apart around us.

Well Birmingham Council is Bankrupt - Bristol next? 

[Isawjonshaw]

On 02/09/2023 at 10:30, nebristolred said:

Just been looking at the time period during which this was used.... I wonder if this could have impact on our very own Dolman Stand? It would fit in the correct timeframe.

especially after those 2 late goals v Hartlepool!

[Lanterne Rouge]

7 hours ago, Erithacus said:

And now the M32 bridge over Eastville is crumbling too. Spalled concrete has exposed steel reinforcements and they are rotting merrily. Reports are that £40 million will be needed to repair it. I ask you, where is the council going to find £125million from? The place is falling apart around us.

That would presumably be the responsibility of National Highways or whatever they`re called these days as it`s a motorway.

[Peter1450]

Hardly any surprise when it’s been neglected for decades, BCC seems to be reactive rather than proactive when it comes to maintaining essential infrastructure.   
     

[Paul G]

On 01/09/2023 at 16:36, WarksRobin said:

 

From the New Civil Engineer today:

 

 

 

 

You can add the M32 flyover at IKEA to that list of concrete structures that are failing in Bristol 

[Paul G]

On 06/09/2023 at 11:26, Erithacus said:

And now the M32 bridge over Eastville is crumbling too. Spalled concrete has exposed steel reinforcements and they are rotting merrily. Reports are that £40 million will be needed to repair it. I ask you, where is the council going to find £125million from? The place is falling apart around us.

There's an argument that it's the responsibility of National Highways. That bridge has had concrete cancer for years

[Lanterne Rouge]

22 hours ago, Paul G said:

There's an argument that it's the responsibility of National Highways. That bridge has had concrete cancer for years

As I said in a previous post as it`s part of a motorway it will be,

[Erithacus]

Apparently the Highways people have plans for the M32, including a big upgrading of the structures and systems - not just a minimal repair. The cost easily adds a nought to the original costings.  

Naturally, the roads underneath (like the Muller Road roundabout) are going to be affected by any major works, so perhaps the council will have to be involved in some measure.