Home Applications & Case Studies Pedestrian bridge in Glasgow with the help of 3D printing

Pedestrian bridge in Glasgow with the help of 3D printing

BAM engineers have completed a new bridge for active traffic in Glasgow that will connect over 800 new homes in the Sighthill district to the city center.

The eye-catching new bridge over Scotland’s busiest freeway was opened to pedestrians and cyclists for the first time on Wednesday, March 22.

The bridge is part of a £250 million regeneration of the north Glasgow neighborhood, making it the country’s largest regeneration project outside London.

The main span of the new structure was built during a 14-hour closure of the M8 freeway in summer 2021. The 2420-ton structure was pirouetted into position by BAM and specialist Mammoet.

Made of Cor-Ten steel, the structure features a weathered appearance that reduces maintenance costs and reflects both the region’s industrial heritage and the façade of the local St Martin’s Primary School.

The bridge also benefited from cutting-edge technology, as BAM became the first contractor in Scotland to use 3D concrete printing to create the staircase that will provide access on the south side of the new structure. It is the largest printed concrete structure in the UK to date.

Once fully installed, the new steps were clad in granite, providing an attractive, durable and non-slip surface.

BAM Contracts Manager Ian Steele said: “We’re so pleased to see the bridge open to the public. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work from our construction team, Glasgow City Council and our subcontractor partners. I’m absolutely delighted with the look of the new structure – the views across Glasgow are fantastic and the structure itself looks glorious now that the landscaping is complete. The project has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible within construction, using cutting-edge digital techniques and collaboration from everyone involved. We are proud to leave a sustainable legacy that will benefit the North of Glasgow for years to come.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, said: “The ongoing regeneration of Sighthill is one of the biggest projects of its kind on these islands – and the completion of this remarkable bridge is a real landmark in that journey. It signals the reconnection of Sighthill with not only the city centre but also neighbouring communities in North Glasgow.”

Find out more about BAM at bam.com.

For more information about Mammoet, please visit mammoet.com.


Subscribe to our Newsletter

3DPResso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.

Privacy Policy*
 

You can find the privacy policy for the newsletter here. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. For further questions, you can contact us here.