A6 Birstall Footbridge, Leicester

The bridge crosses the A6 dual carriageway from the major Hallam Fields housing development to the Birstall Park & Ride site. The single-span 50m x 3.5m footbridge crosses five lanes of traffic using a hybrid steel bowstring arch Vierendeel truss design. 

The project also included associated landscaping, plus new footways / cycleways providing access between Hallam Fields, The Cedars Academy, Birstall Park & Ride and nearby Wanlip village.

After carrying out a full assessment of the requirements and constraints, it was decided to use the Reinforced Earth system for the construction of the approach embankments. This enabled the construction of the embankments to take place within a much smaller works area - and led to a much smaller footprint for the finished product - because a greater angle of repose could be achieved owing to the characteristics of the system.

Piling took place before the construction of reinforced concrete foundations, abutments and wingwalls. After the fitting of the bowstring arch, lighting and crash barriers were installed to the highway. 

A carefully planned traffic management programme allowed the bridge to be constructed safely whilst minimising disruption to traffic on the busy A6 and the operation of the Park & Ride. These major civil engineering works were carried out without any significant disruption to residents, students, park & ride users, traffic, bus operators or businesses. 

Watch the superstructure being lifted into place here.