Newtown Riverbridge Bearing and Expansion Joint Replacement

Description

Notification of award of contract for the following tendered works:The work will involve replacing 14No. existing defective mechanical rocker bearings at the east abutment with new bearings of the same type and the replacement of 1No. expansion joint with a new ‘BEJ’ type joint.The replacement expansion joint shall be installed across the full width of the carriageway and both eastern and western footways. The existing kerbs shall be locally removed and reinstated to accommodate installation of the BEJ10 expansion joint.In order to ensure a smooth ride over the replacement expansion joints, a 4m length of the carriageway shall be removed and reinstated with hot rolled asphalt on both sides of the expansion joint to an appropriate level.As the joints and a limited area of surfacing is to be replaced, the carriageway road markings shall be locally renewed.In order to carry out the work safely, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to close the bridge during jacking operations and for expansion joint removal / installation so that the joint across the entire width of the carriageway can be installed and carriageway resurfacing undertaken during a series of night and weekend shifts.Replacement of the bearings shall first require jacking of the structure to enable bearing removal. All temporary works proposals including jacking, shall require suitable temporary works design to be undertaken by a person with appropriate qualifications and demonstratable experience.The 14No. exiting glacier mechanical rocker bearings at the east abutment shall be removed along with the existing levelling grout following installation of jacks.Following removal of the existing bearings, replacement bearings along with levelling grout shall be installed strictly in accordance with the chosen bearing manufacturer’s instructions.Following installation of the replacement bearings and suitable curing time for the levelling grout, jacks shall be removed in accordance with the contractor’s temporary works design and the bridge shall load the replacement bearings.