MIDDLE BRIDGE - NEWPORT PAGNELL

Underneath the Arches: The Installation of the grouted stainless steel anchors into two three span brick arches of 5.6m and 6m spans. A 17t weight limit was imposed on the bridge after failing assessments, but the presence of complex services in the roadways ruled out most conventional strengthening methods. Milton Keynes Council chose the ARCHTEC System, on “aesthetic and economic grounds”. Installation is normally from above, but in this case a more sophisticated operation was needed to install the 4m long anchors from below. A pontoon platform was used and was sanctioned by the National Rivers Association. The strengthening employed both conventional and "J” bar anchors. The latter are made in two sections, bent, and coupled together.