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| Newport's new bridge is officially opened  Newport's new £5 million foot and cycle bridge, the first completed project to be delivered as part of the city's multi-million pound regeneration programme, was officially opened on Tuesday 12 September 2006. Engineered by Atkins, the 850 tonne bridge stands 70m (230ft) high - 17m taller (56ft) than Nelson's column - and forms a key part of Newport Unlimited's regeneration plans, linking the east and west side of the River Usk and providing quick and easy access for pedestrians and cyclists into the city centre.The bridge, which was opened on the same day as the city celebrated the centenary of its famous Transporter Bridge, was officially named Newport City Footbridge at the opening ceremony. The bridge features two A-Frame masts that support the bridge from the west bank. The forward mast is 80m (262 ft) long and the back mast is 70m (230ft) long, but because of the angles at which the masts are positioned, the back mast is the tallest part of the structure above ground level. The deck is 145m long (476 ft) - the length of 17 buses - 5m (16 ft) wide, and 4m (13 ft) above high tide. The design of Newport City Footbridge was chosen in conjunction with the Design Council for Wales. Its crane-like structures were designed as a symbolic link to the site's earlier use as trading wharves - but with a modern twist. The bridge was constructed at Rowecord in Newport, before taking a week to be lifted in position in May by contractors Alfred McAlpine. The tallest crane in the UK (over 100m/328ft) was drafted in to help with the lift, which itself arrived on 48 articulated lorries and took four days to assemble on site, weighing nearly 1, 400 tonnes - the equivalent of three jumbo jets full of passengers. Newport City Footbridge is a joint project between Newport City Council, the Welsh Assembly Government and Newport Unlimited. Bridge contractors were Alfred McAlpine and bridge engineers were Atkins' special structures group working with architects Grimshaw to provide the concept and design services. Bridge manufacturers were Newport-based Rowecord Engineering. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |