Location: Ireland
Client: SIAC
Following its success on the spectacular cable-stay bridge that today spans the River Boyne in Ireland, RMD Kwikform Ireland has won the contract to supply the formwork and falsework for an equally challenging arched bridge over the River Erne at Cathleen Falls in South Donegal.
It is an essential component of the Bundoran Ballyshannon Bypass; part of Ireland’s National Roads Authority’s programme for upgrading the N15 Sligo-to-Lifford Road. When completed the bypass will skirt to the east of both towns. It is being built as part of a design and construct contract being undertaken by a joint venture between of Ireland’s leading construction companies, SIAC (that along with Cleveland Bridge built the Boyne Bridge) and Wills Bros. Its design is also a collaborative effort between Cork-based Fehily Timoney and Company and Gifford and Partners of the UK.
The River Erne is one of the country’s premier leisure waterways, linking Lough Erne in County Fermanagh in neighbouring Northern Ireland with Donegal Bay on Ireland’s north west coast. Hence the decision to construct an arched bridge to allow unhindered
passage by sailing boats, and to seek a formwork and falsework solution that would also not create a barrier to passing craft.
RMD Kwikform’s solution uses high load capacity Megashor towers - with specially manufactured steel formers that form the contour of the arch Superslim Soldiers and Alform aluminium beams to support the bridge’s arched beams and top deck. The company is also supplying the Maxima large panel formwork system as formwork to the beam sides, and as formwork for the abutments and wing walls. A special travelling gantry will be supplied to complete the wing walls of the bridge’s top deck.
The load from the 1,000kN leg capacity Megashor trusses is transferred to both banks of the river onto pre-prepared concrete bases
Commenting on the project, RMD Kwikform Ireland’s Regional Sales Director, Andy Fenton said.
“Naturally, the success of our formwork solution on the Boyne Bridge stood us in good stead, as we had clearly demonstrated that we have the engineering skills and experience to undertake complex construction projects.”
He continued, “Additionally though, we devised a solution that satisfied all of the requirements for fast and safe erection and dismantling to ensure completion within the timescale set out in the programme; we are also providing expert site supervision, technical back up, and are working closely with the contractor’s staff.”
