2016 Civil Engineering Winners
The National Museum of Scotland played host to the 2016 Civil Engineering Awards on the 25th of October. Cabinate Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP, was there to see the following awards presented.
Award
for Greatest Contribution to Scotland
Forth Road Bridge Truss End Links Repair
The closure of the Forth Road Bridge in December 2015, following discovery of a fracture in the truss end link, was described in the Scottish Parliament as ‘an event of national significance’. The repair and early reopening of this vitaltransport link minimised disruption to commuters andbusinesses and exceeded the public’s expectations. The expertise and dedication shown enabled completion ahead of programme with the bridge reopening to 91% traffic within 21 days of the fracture discovery, alleviating the economic impact estimated at £1m/day and environmental impact of diverting 70,000 vehicles 33 miles each day. Social media was used to great effect to address intense public and political scrutiny. Engineers became the heroes of the hour as images of them suspended 54m above the water in challenging winter conditions went viral, showcasing civil engineering on a global stage. New technology was harnessed including structural health monitoring and drone inspections. The systems and analysis now in place will lead to better understanding for future maintenance of existing similar structures. Against the backdrop of technical, operational and safety challenges and media and political scrutiny the project to repair the truss end links demonstrated exemplar innovation and creativity in engineering, management and communication.
Ewan Angus,Major Bridges Director-Forth Bridges, Amey on winning the Award said:
We are delighted to have won the award in this category. We are incredibly proud of our team’s achievement in reopening the bridge early in the most challenging of circumstances and of the benefit this brought to the people of Scotland. This project offered a unique opportunity to showcase Civil Engineering to the nation and we are delighted our contribution has been recognised with this award.
Award
for Infrastructure
A82 Pulpit Rock Realignment
The A82, on the shores of Loch Lomond, was reduced to single lane operation under traffic lights for over 30 years following a land-slip at Pulpit Rock, causing long tailbacks and a bottleneck. Pulpit Rock, a place of worship since 1825, is currently a Scheduled Ancient monument. This project involved road-widening over the 400m-long pinch point through design and construction of a 175m long, six-span viaduct, with a single steel beam supported on large diameter mono-piles, and a 30m high stabilised rock cut. Lying within Loch Lomond National Park meant significant environmental constraints - including inability to access the loch and utilise marine plant - and a very narrow and constrained working corridor. The site was known for a series of landslips and rockfalls.
McLaughlin and Harvey’s solution minimised economic impact by significantly reducing road closures from the 14 weeks originally anticipated and reducing disruption of traffic (60km
diversion). A temporary works deck over the water provided working space allowing traffic to flow past through the day and minimising overnight closures. Works were also carried out to the near vertically faced rock cut. Journey times along the loch have improved by up to 30 minutes at peak tourist season.
Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing said:
I am delighted that Transport Scotland’s A82 Pulpit Rock Improvement Project has been recognised by this award. It is particularly appropriate that this work is given due recognition in this the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.
We were always mindful of the strategic importance of this key route between the Highlands & Islands and the Central Belt and the need to balance delivery of complex engineering works with measures to mitigate impacts on road users and the environment, particularly in the natural beauty of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Commendations
Lamington Viaduct
The project demonstrates excellent collaborative working and speed of response to initialise and complete emergency works to save the viaduct and associated structures and to design and construct permanent repairs in very adverse physical conditions permitting the re-opening of the West Coast Main Line in a very short time span.
Gourock Pierhead Re-development
The project demonstrates the great benefit that civil engineering brings to society and the local community. The multi-disciplinary project required a range of well designed and constructed elements to come together to totally transform the former derelict waterfront and congested town centre of Gourock. This outstanding regeneration scheme has given the waterfront and town centre back to the community and gives locals and visitors alike an appealing area to visit and in which to trade.
Ngau Tam Mei to Tai Kong Po Tunnels
The Designer’s use of Value Engineering has significantly improved the finished product of this high profile tunnelling project in Hong Kong. By addressing four key areas, namely the tunnel crossover cavern, a second access shaft at Tai Kong Po, reshaping the tunnels to generate substantial reinforcement reductions and rationalising wall radii to allow shutter re-use, the project has benefited in cost, programme and risk reduction.
Elgin Flood Alleviation Scheme
The project demonstrates the benefits of a fully integrated project team working together under a target cost contract. In addition to their primary objective of alleviating flooding in Elgin, the team’s collaborative approach and attention to detail has enhanced the river corridor through the town and helped deliver a range of social, economic and environmental benefits to the local community and businesses. A well thought through project providing a modern and pleasant civil engineering solution which is environmentally and visually pleasing and well finished