Tower Road Rolling Lift Bridge, Birkenhead

Mott MacDonald first approached Eadon Consulting during the project’s early concept stage to assist with developing replacement options for the existing bridge. Eadon helped define the preferred bridge option and produced an outline design that set the project direction for the design-and-build contractor. Once the contractor was appointed, Eadon provided client-side support throughout the project until construction was complete. 

Tower Road Bridge is a steel rolling bascule bridge that spans 33.7 m across the entrance to the Birkenhead docks. It carries a 7.3 m wide carriageway with dedicated 2.5 m combined footway and cycleways on both sides. Because it sits very low over the water, all of the main hydraulic equipment is located above deck. The moving span is lifted by two hydraulic cylinders which are assisted by a 482 tonne counterweight system. The pair of cylinders pull the bridge back along a curved track, keeping critical equipment out of flood-risk areas and avoiding the need for deep machinery pits within the dock.

Components were delivered from fabrication shops in North Wales and Sheffield. The replacement bridge was then assembled off-site on the quayside and transported into position using a barge and self-propelled modular transporter. Since the project involved replacing an existing structure, minimising groundwork was crucial to reduce disruption. The chosen bridge design and associated construction method required far less on-site groundwork, allowing the surrounding area to remain largely undisturbed. 

Eadon provided support to the project from the early concept stage, assisting with the development of replacement options, producing the outline design and offering client-side support through to project completion. The bridge opened to the public in June 2018.