Over £500K in bridge works secured by AJE
The stairs have had to be lifted into place from a barge floating below the bridge.
OVER half a million pounds of work relating to two Scottish bridges has been secured by the team at AJ Engineering.
Contracted by The Spencer Group, AJE is continuing its works on the Forth Road Bridge and in the new year will begin a project on the Kessock Bridge in Inverness.
Leading the projects is Wilson Burnett who explained that this is the second time AJE has secured work on the Forth Road Bridge with The Spencer Group.
He said: “It is great to be back working on the Forth Road Bridge with The Spencer Group. The works on the Forth Road Bridge should be finished in February all being well. It has involved staff working away on site and we have needed people with specialist rope access accreditation too, due to the nature of the project.”
AJ Engineering has fabricated three sets of stairs for seven new access platforms for the project worth around £300k.
The stairs have had to be lifted into place from a barge floating below the bridge in the Firth of Forth, whilst the platforms are being lowered from the maintenance roadway in parts and assembled at the required level.
The works on the Kessock Bridge will begin in early 2019 and involve fabricating a replacement of the inspection gantry.
The inspection gantry is used to carry out examinations on the bridge.
Wilson explained the contract, also worth £300K will involve all skillsets AJE boasts.
“Due to the nature of this work we will need to harness the expertise of our workshop team and the CNC shop and of course there will be work done on site too.”
He added: “The existing inspection gantry is now 30 years old and has been condemned. As well as being able to inspect the bridge, the new gantry will also be crucial for painting the bridge which is expected to take place over the next three years.”
Wilson expects that the work on the Kessock Bridge will involve 12 members of staff and another company has also been contracted to handle the electrical and hydraulic works.
“Everything will be put together at our depot in Forres,” explained Wilson. “We will be erecting a marquee in our yard and the electrical and hydraulic firm will work here to do the required testing. Following that, the equipment will be split into three loads and transported to the site.”
Last December AJ Engineering which has a wealth of experience in bridgeworks was recognised by the industry’s national body.
The company is now on the Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors Scheme for Bridgeworks.
Any steelwork company with a facility within the EU, that fabricates anything from footbridges to crossings with more than a 100m span can apply to be considered for inclusion.
There is a rigorous process to secure the accreditation which is handled by the British Constructional Steelworks Association (BCSA).
In its 19-year history, AJ Engineering has handled numerous bridgeworks projects including the Queensferry Crossing.
In February 2017, the firm constructed and installed a 139-foot long bow arced bridge over the River Nevis providing all abilities access to Ben Nevis.
And it was also appointed by BAM Nuttall to design and install the footbridge at the Forres railway Station.
