Metrail Construction Ltd successfully completed a full deck refurbishment of Scammonden Bridge, a vital structure on the M62 motorway in West Yorkshire, as part of National Highways’ maintenance programme. The project, conducted from April to October 2024, involved removing the existing surfacing, applying advanced Eliminator waterproofing, resurfacing, and installing new expansion joints. Delivered on time and within budget, the refurbishment ensures enhanced durability and safety with minimal traffic disruption, reinforcing Scammonden Bridge's iconic status on the UK motorway network.

  • Project

  • Scope of Work

  • Construction Programme

The project

Scammonden Bridge spans the Deanhead cutting carrying the B6114 Elland to Buckstones road over the M62 motorway in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

The road crosses the M62 at around 310 m above sea level and was designed specifically to withstand high winds. The arch is a twin box section. Its deck is an inverted T-type pretensioned prestressed concrete beam with a deck width of 7.3m (24ft).
The bridge opened to traffic in May 1970 and has been has been continuously maintained since then.
Early in 2024 National Highways appointed Metrail Construction Ltd to carry out waterproofing and expansion joint replacement on the bridge as part of its ongoing maintenance and renewal programme.

Facts & Figures

When?
April to October 2024

Where?
Full deck refurbishment of 62 Scammonden Bridge

How?
Replacement of Expansion Joints and Bridge Deck Waterproofing

Technology
GCP Sentinel Expansion Joints and GCP Eliminator Waterproofing System

Scope of Work

The bridge is in National Highways Area 12 where Metrail Construction Ltd has the framework contract for bridge deck waterproofing and expansion joints.
Under this framework Metrail was given responsibility, as Principal Contractor, to carry out a Full Deck Refurbishment on the bridge.
The work scope covered removing the existing tarmac surface and the failed waterproofing to allow a GCP Eliminator waterproofing coat to be applied to the deck and verge. The Eliminator membrane protects the concrete and steel from corrosion. It cures rapidly to provide a tough flexible and seamless waterproof coating.
A bond coat is then applied to further seal and waterproof the deck and verge to make them ready for asphalt resurfacing.
Once the bond coat has cured the deck is resurfaced and new expansion joints installed at each end of the bridge deck and along the deck.

Construction Programme

As Principal Contractor (PC) Metrail was responsible for the project management of the construction programme which was carried out in the period from the end of April 2024 to the end of October 2024.

The construction work required a traffic management system to be installed to allow alternate lane closure with temporary traffic lights and temporary closure of the footpath with pedestrians diverted to the opposite side

The scheme, designed by Jacobs, required bridge deck waterproofing to be installed in accordance with CD358 and expansion joints in accordance with CD357, with surfacing and road markings from kerb to kerb to ensure the road was made safe for the public and to prolong the service life of the bridge.

Construction Milestones

Plane out surfacing on the bridge deck including 7.5m at either of the end of the bridge to allow the expansion joints to tie into the approach road surfacing.
Carry out a deck scrape and fine milling to remove the remaining 25mm of surfacing and waterproofing membrane.

Carry out deck preparation including the repair of any areas of spalled concrete in the deck.

Spray-apply 2180 m2 of the Eliminator waterproofing system and bond coat.

Reinstate the surfacing - carried out at night under Metrail supervision.

Saw-cut the new surfacing and install new expansion joints. Specifically, two Sentinel EMR joints at each end of the bridge (10.9 metres each), and two Permatrack (mastic asphaltic plug joints) on the deck (10.9metres each).

Install new road markings and remove the traffic management system to allow traffic to run on the new deck.

IKO PermaFLASH D300 is used to plug the airgap. Primer is then applied to all the trench surfaces.

A first layer of molten PSB, a highly flexible material used for tanking the trench, is then applied to the base of the trench and a galvanised steel plate placed in the trench.
The trench can then be fully tanked out and a drainage channel and rodding box installed.
The next step is to install the actual expansion material, known as PSB Strips, which provide the majority of the movement for the expansion joint. These strips are applied to the vertical faces of the trench and a further coat of PSB applied.

The trench is brought up to the same level as the rebate so that steel side bars can be installed in the rebate. The joint can then be trowelled level and scattered stones rolled into the surface until satisfactory embedment is achieved.
The steel bars are removed and the resulting grooves filled with PSB.

The joint has to be allowed to cool before opening to traffic.

Conclusion

Metrail delivered the work programme on time and on budget with disruption to traffic kept to an absolute minimum.
Careful planning meant that all the nominated contractors and Metrail sub-contractors on site worked in close coordination to deliver the full deck refurbishment.
Metrail MD, Martyn Sherwood, commented that:

“Scammonden bridge is an iconic structure on the UK motorway network and Metrail is proud to have played a key role in this important maintenance project for National Highways to rejuvenate the bridge for many years to come.”

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