Bridge Inspections & Remediation
O’Connor Sutton Cronin and Associates has an established record of working on Local and Statutory Authority Bridge Remediation schemes. OCSC have the (i) sectoral knowledge, (ii) the key experience and (iii) the local knowledge to ensure we can successfully deliver on all programmed bridge remediation schemes, emergency works, scour and special inspections that may be required for a bridge remediation scheme.
OCSC’s sectoral knowledge ranges from carrying out principal inspections as part of the programme of Eirspan bridge inspections for Local Authorities such as Fingal County Council, South Tipperary, Monaghan, Wicklow and Dublin City Councils, scour inspections for Iarnród Éireann, to carrying out special inspections in accordance with accordance with Eirspan System Manual No. 04, to Engineering and Maintenance inspections in accordance with DTTAS and Waterways Ireland Bridge Inspection procedures.
OCSC have provided remedial solutions for Bridge Remediation schemes from inspection, through detailed design to handover for local authorities such as Cork, Fingal, Galway, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath County Councils as well as for statutory bodies such as Shannon Foynes Port Company, Iarnród Éireann, Waterways Ireland and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
OCSC have completed the design and delivery of remedial works on structures of varying structural form from brick, masonry and reinforced concrete arches, prestressed and post tensioned concrete decks, through to multi span steel lattice girder bridges and steel composite decks.
Featured Projects
Royal Canal Premium Cycle Route
Phase 3 (€30m) 2018 – 2023
OCSC’s sectoral knowledge ranges from carrying out principal inspections as part of the programme of Eirspan bridge inspections for Local Authorities such as Fingal County Council, South Tipperary, Monaghan, Wicklow and Dublin City Councils, scour inspections for Iarnród Éireann, to carrying out special inspections in accordance with accordance with Eirspan System Manual No. 04, to Engineering and Maintenance inspections in accordance with DTTAS and Waterways Ireland Bridge Inspection procedures.
Obelisk Bridge
(€2.5m) 2024
OCSC was appointed by Louth County Council to undertake the design of the restoration of the Obelisk Bridge, a historical structure which spans the River Boyne approximately 5 km west of Drogheda. The bridge is protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 due to its significance within both the Battle of The Boyne Battlefield Site and the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. OCSC tackled the project with a multi-faceted approach that included comprehensive surveys, thorough testing, and design work to ensure the conservation and rehabilitation of the bridge closely mirrored its original design. Their meticulous adherence to statutory obligations covered the bridge’s protective status, archaeological and heritage considerations, and environmental conditions. OCSC’s responsibilities ranged from identifying the best refurbishment options to managing the planning process, providing tender documentation, and executing the tender assessment. Their appointment included resident engineer services throughout the construction stage. The refurbishment of the Obelisk Bridge included the following works:
1. The replacement of the corroded wrought iron elements in the lattice truss, cross-girders and connections.
2. The replacement of the concrete deck slab.
3. The installation of a drainage system.
4. The refurbishment of the existing bearings.
5. The deconstruction and re-build of masonry abutment towers and approach walls.
6. Installation of a protective paint system to all steelwork.
6. Repointing of all masonry.
7. Installation of a vehicle restraint system.
As the bridge is located in a Special Area of Conservation, the construction works were entirely encapsulated to prevent are debris entering the watercourse below. The project’s culmination lies in the construction of the planned works, always with an eye on OCSC’s commitment to enhanced longevity and safety of this prestigious structure.
Limerick to Foynes Railway Upgrade
(€65m) 2023
This project involves the upgrading of approximately 42km of disused railway to provide a railway for freight traffic from Foynes Port to Limerick City. As part of the project the lead structural engineer was responsible for the assessment and design of rehabilitation works for 87 structures, consisting of masonry arches, precast concrete and steel road and rail structures. OCSC’s role within this project was to include the detailed design of a replacement river bridge, a 50m span steel u-frame bridge located within an SAC. The scheme is currently on-going with remedials, and replacement bridge structures being designed and detailed along the railway line.
St Dominics Bridge
Refurbishment Project (€2.2m)
The completion of St. Dominick’s Bridge in Drogheda was a refurbishment project which was undertaken by O’Connor Sutton Cronin at a value of €2.2m . The Bridge was originally built in the 1860’s, and our refurbishment has brought it back to its former glory. This beautiful bridge spans the river Boyne and provides stunning views of the river and the surrounding area. It is a great addition to the Drogheda townscape, and we are sure that it will be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
The Boyne Viaduct Drogheda
(€2.4m) 2015
The launch of the refurbishment of the Drogheda Viaduct was held Monday 07th December 2015 in the D-Hotel in Drogheda, with Ministers Paschal Donohoe T.D. (Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport) and Michelle McIlveen MLA (Minister for Regional Development) in attendance. The project was funded by the Special EU Programmes Body. The overall Drogheda Viaduct refurbishment works included the installation of 1,800m2 of new deck waterproofing, the application of 15,000m2 of a new paint protection system through the use of 4,500m2 of hanging scaffold and encapsulation, the replacement of 8 no. bridge bearings, steelwork repairs requiring the replacement of 14,000 rivets and 25,000kg of new steelwork. Essential track work was also carried out through the installation of 500m of new railway track, installing 850 new sleepers and 850m3 of new railway ballast. The refurbishment of this iconic structure also involved the installation of a new multi-coloured high power LED lighting scheme co-funded by Louth County Council.
O’Connor Sutton Cronin were responsible for the Contract management through the provision of a Resident Engineer from the Civil Section for the Painting and Scaffolding Contract. This 14 month contract was carried out in parallel with additional contracts for the steelwork repair works and bearing replacement by Irish Rails Bridge gang, completion of the track works by the permanent way staff and installation of the new multi-coloured high power LED lighting scheme by Global Rail. As these parallel Contracts would require access from the hanging scaffold provided under the painting and scaffolding works contract OCSC were also required to co-ordinate the works between each of the contracts to ensure all works were completed on schedule by November 2015.
Sean O’Casey
Pedestrian Bridge
(€6.5m) 2005
Following an open international competition, the joint submission by O’Connor Sutton Cronin and Brian O’Halloran & Associates Architects was nominated the winning entry. The competition brief required an openable bridge to create a clear navigable channel. The structural design evolved on the basic principle of a “balanced cantilever” which is to function both in the in use condition and must remain stable in the bridge open or out of use condition.
The two central opening sections are approximately 44m in overall length and each rotates on plan about a central pier to allow a free 33m open width. Two profiled cantilever abutments complete the transition with the quay side. The balanced cantilever achieves its support via a cradle, comprised of four tapered steel sections, profiled to allow the flow of maximum load transfer. The bridge deck is directly supported on continuous longitudinal circular sections and these in turn are supported at their extreme end via tension rods saddled over the cradle tips and tensioned down to the support pivot. When closed, each bridge leaf is both locked together and to the cantilever abutments via hydraulic locking pins. The out of balance structural load conditions are resisted by these locking pins suitably arranged to restrain vertical, lateral and torsional deck forces whilst allowing and accommodating bridge rotation at its ends.
