Exclusive | Mott MacDonald starts Hammersmith Bridge testing
Initial details of the extensive testing being carried out by Mott MacDonald on the Hammersmith Bridge in west London have been revealed in an exclusive interview with New Civil Engineer.
Owner of the grade 2* listed bridge, Hammersmith and Fulham Council (LBHF), said the consultant had been appointed to carry out the testing on the bridge to establish the extent of strengthening work required to allow current weight restrictions to be lifted.
Currently the 130 year old, cast iron chain link suspension bridge, has a severe 7.5t weight restriction in place, meaning only one, single decker bus is allowed on the structure at a time. Wardens employed by Transport for London (TfL) are in place at either end of the bridge to enforce this.
Much of the structure of the bridge is original, with the cross girders, the majority of the hangers and suspension chains all dating back to 1887. The foundations for the bridge were built for a previous bridge on the same site and date back to 1827.
Mott MacDonald project director Tim Abbott said many of the component parts now need to be strengthened for the modern day demands on the structure.