by Iain Lundy, Evening Times
The first two major sections of Glasgow's new "Squiggly
Bridge" have been lowered into place.
It signalled a major landmark for a project that has been dogged
by delays and financial controversy.
The latest Clyde crossing - officially known as the Tradeston
Bridge - is part of a £33million scheme to upgrade the Broomielaw
and Tradeston.
A river barge yesterday carried the first section of the
footbridge's main span up the Clyde. It was then removed by a crane
and lowered on to the bridge supports.
Six more deck units, all manufactured by contractor RBG in
Invergordon, in the Highlands, will be put in place in the next few
days.
Each section of the 115-yard bridge - being built in an unusual
S-shape - is 17 yards long and weighs 25 tonnes.
Four have been transferred by a coastal freighter to Princes
Dock in Govan and the remaining two were being floated to the
bridge site today.
The remaining three will come from Invergordon at the beginning
of next week, weather permitting.
Workers are lowering the sections in place by crane from the
banks of the river inwards, with the final middle section due to be
installed next week.
The sections will then be welded together and pylons and fins
put in place to support the structure.
It will then be welded, painted, lit and landscaped and have
hand rails installed.
BAM Nuttall, the main contractor, said the work may cause
annoyance to neighbours but promised to do its best to minimise
disruption.
The bridge was due to be ready last month, but a series of
wrangles with contractors caused a long delay and the opening date
is now expected to be next spring.
In 2006 councillors scrapped plans for the original crossing
when project costs hit about £60m.
Designers came back with a cheaper alternative but last year
preparatory work on strengthening the quay walls was held up for
six months after they collapsed.
The bridge will link Broomielaw, now marketed as the
International Financial Services District, with Tradeston, which is
in the process of being revitalised.
More than 1000 riverside apartments are being built along the
former rundown Clyde Place and it is hoped to incorporate shops,
cafes, bars and restaurants into the development.
Work has also been taking place on improvements such as putting
in new paving stones, lampposts and riverside walkways.
In recent months there has been a flurry of activity on the
river, with pilings and bridge supports installed.
Reproduced with the permission of The Evening Times (Glasgow) ©
Newsquest (Herald & Times) Ltd.