The original Bernera Bridge, linking the islands of Great Bernera and Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides was built in 1953 and is believed to be the first pre-stressed concrete road bridge in the UK. A recent survey highlighted evidence of structural deterioration which required a full replacement.

Mabey Bridge is a leading international provider of high-quality modular steel bridging solutions. They specialise in rapid-build, pre-engineered modular steel bridges to enable accelerated bridge construction in urban and rural areas. Given the remoteness of the Bernera site, the limited access and the environmental challenges the Delta modular steel bridge supplied by Mabey Bridge was identified as the ideal solution.

The 99-metre structure was engineered with a single long clear span and the installation method avoided any disruption to aquatic habitats, as it required no construction activity in the water. Due to the site’s remote location, the components – with a maximum length of 9m and a maximum weight of just over 4t – had to be delivered via local ferry and bolted together with 13,000 M24 Greenkote Tension Control Bolts deployed.

The eco-friendly Greenkote anti-corrosion coating of TCBs provided a critical advantage as the structure has been designed to last 100 years.

The Bernera Bridge won ‘The Bridges Construction Award’ at Bridges 2022. The judges’ commented: “This is a great project, whereby challenges of delivery of small components and the clear advantages of providing a single span to avoid over water works has been met superbly by the use of the Mabey bridging system.”

Greenkote® anti-corrosion protection

Tension Control Bolts Ltd has its own metal coating plant producing an environmentally friendly anti-corrosion coating called Greenkote, which is comparable to galvanising, although it is harder wearing and readily accepts all paint systems. Learn more about Greenkote.

Greenkote