The four bridge sections were manufactured by Severfield in Bolton and they were transported by road 40 miles to Halifax by heavy transport specialist Collett.

With each measuring 48 metres long and weighing 56 tonnes, these were the largest pieces of steelwork to ever leave Severfield’s Bolton facility.

Over a two week period, each of the 56-tonne bridge sections was loaded on site at the Severfield factory on to two Faymonville eight-axle jeep dolly bogie trailers, the latest additions to Collett’s trailer fleet.  These dolly combinations have automatic steering, allowing the back axles to follow the tractor unit autonomously.  The trailers also have the option of overriding this feature to provide manual steering and rear steer capabilities – this then allows the rear bogey to steer independently of the tractor unit. This project was the first deployment for these trailers.

The steel will form the integral part of the A629 Salterhebble Bridge project in Halifax, under construction by John Sisk & Son under a £27m contract.

The beams arrived on site in mid-January and have since been lifted in to position.

The bridge project, funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the West Yorkshire-Plus Transport Fund, is expected to be completed later this year.

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