The Blackwater Bridge Replacement project modernised a critical link on the N2 National Road, addressing flooding issues and improving traffic flow with an innovative precast concrete arch design.
The Blackwater Bridge Replacement encompassed the demolition of the existing masonry arch bridge, which carries the N2 National Road over the Blackwater River, north of Monaghan Town. The existing structure impeded the flow of the River, leading to severe flooding events, whilst also having exceeded its design life. As the main route connecting Dublin to Derry and used by over 12,000 vehicles per day, it was vital that the N2 would remain operational during the bridge replacement.
Funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in 2018 Monaghan County Council awarded the contract for construction of the Blackwater Bridge to Fox Building and Engineering Ltd. Design ID were contracted as their Civil Engineer to design the temporary realignment of the highway and to gain Statutory Approvals. Whilst involved in the project, our role expanded and a value engineering exercise was carried out on the proposed bridge design. Design ID’s lean design proposal, consisting of a precast concrete Bebo Arch System, enhanced the quality, sustainability, programme, and cost, and therefore was approved by the Contractor, Client and TII, as the most optimum solution.
Our scope of work for this scheme, included: value engineering of the proposed Client Engineer’s civil and structural designs, liaison with external stakeholders to protect and divert all existing services, site set-up and clearance works, all associated temporary works, and the construction of a temporary bridge with concrete cantilever abutments. The new bridge construction involved liaison with international asset suppliers, road realignment and resurfacing works, the installation of road markings and signs, a new bus park and layby, as well as landscaping, site clean-up and demobilising works.
Client: Fox Building & Engineering Ltd
