Mabey designs and installs two new bridges for The British Open at Carnoustie
Leading bridge and engineering services specialist Mabey has announced the design and installation of two new bridges, providing additional crossing and seating for audiences over the world-famous Barry Burn at the 147th Open at Carnoustie. Responding to GL Events’ need for a partner who could manage the entire process – from design to installation – the bridges were erected in just seven days.
The first – a stand base consisting of four 15-metre bridge beams – was designed to sit over the Barry Burn and hold a 1500-seat viewing stand between the 1st tee and the 18th green. Parallel to this was a pedestrian bridge consisting of three 15-metre bridge beams. In addition to the famous permanent stone bridges that have sat over the Burn in Carnoustie for years, this new structure provided an additional crossing between tees as the golfing competition unfolded. Of the 185,000 people expected to attend this year’s championship, most used this route over the pedestrian bridge to follow the sporting action.
Given the pressure on timings, GL Events needed a quick, cost-effective solution where there would be no need to install foundations at the supports of the structures, which involved digging out earth and pouring concrete in. To overcome this, Mabey provided a selection of its Universal Bridge Decks which were used as foundations, while adjustable Mass 50 Mechanical Screw Jacks were in place to account for half-a-metre fall across the section of the bridge.
Through collaboration, GL Events designed the grandstand using a scaffold system with Mabey designing a baseplate which would connect the scaffold columns to the Mass-50 beams (a combination of Mabey’s Superprop beam and Mass 50 prop-unit solutions). The pedestrian bridge was erected in the same manner, where a pre-designed scaffold deck was placed on top of Mabey’s system.
Mabey supported the project from the initial design stages, all the way through to installation, where the team on site used surveying equipment to ensure the supports were perfectly level before landing the 15-metre beams, avoiding the need to alter the system later.
Chris Mansell, Director and General Manager, Seating & Stadia, GL Events UK, comments “We reached out to Mabey having heard about their ability to provide a total solution – from design, all the way to building the bridge itself. We collaborated with its engineers to develop a cost-effective, non-groundworks solution for our client, The R&A, using beams and jacks to erect the bridges. For world-renowned events like this, it’s important to work quickly, safely and efficiently – Mabey’s support enabled us to do just that.”
Dave Holland, Engineering Director, Mabey, continues “We’re thrilled to have worked on such an important project which benefited one of the UK’s biggest sporting events of the year. Working closely with GL Events for The R&A meant we were able to install the bridges in just seven days, offering plenty more room and opportunity for spectators to enjoy the exciting event.”
The project forms part of Mabey’s expanding presence in Scotland, with other recent, local projects including the installation of a temporary bridge over the River Spey and providing temporary support structures to build the 58km Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route bypass.
The 147th Open Carnoustie took place from the 17th – 22nd July.
