Luton Galaxy Link Bridge.

The client’s brief for the design of this bridge was to develop an interesting and aesthetic solution which would provide an asset to the area and a pleasant entrance to the Galaxy Leisure Centre in Luton.

Location

London, UK

Client

MEPC, Littlehampton Welding

Architect

n/a

Project Value

£ 3 million

Status

completed 1998

Expertise

Structures

The engineering solution developed is a tubular trussed Vierendeel structure using curved hollow sections. Cranked on plan the bridge spans 46 m over a busy road in the centre of Luton connecting the new development to an existing car park. The bridge structure was prefabricated in three main sections and brought to site. The curved polycarbonate cladding was also prefixed to the central section which occurs directly above the road to avoid complicated temporary works and protection measures being required.

The client MEPC employed Littlehampton Welding to supply the bridge on a Design and Build basis with AKT II providing the design support. Completion of the project was achieved in the summer of 1998 with a final steel construction cost of £ 200,000.