Welcome to the 8 Questions, where we ask senior figures in the sector the questions every business leader and ambitious professional wants answered. In this edition, Josh Moorhouse Senior Engineer - Bridge and Highway Structures, Kier Transportation is asked what is needed to deliver successful infrastructure projects.
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Items that were essential to the success of the Chester House Farm project involved clear direction from senior leadership, outlined goals, sufficient productivity, effective communication, teamwork, relevant experience and understanding of other disciplines for the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects.
This was a complex project with a lot of stakeholders to manage. Most of which were understanding of our requirement to maintain the access route and replace essential infrastructure. Next time, we would undertake a separate consent to break ground at the site, appoint an archaeologist to monitor us removing the grass layer ensuring no historical artefacts were damaged in the process and undertake the CBR test on the soil rather than the grass. This would have given a better California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value, lowered the amount of made ground required and in turn, reduce costs.
To overcome challenges during the project, it was important to understand the problem, communicate effectively with all stakeholders involved, understand stakeholder responsibilities and work as a team to help facilitate a suitable outcome. We hosted regular meetings across Microsoft Teams throughout the project lifecycle.
The purpose of the works was to maintain an essential public right of way. Chester House Farm were looking to enhance the profile of their commercial presence and the bridges were the key to that increased footfall. Since the opening of the two footbridges, local community events have utilised the footbridges such as the annual International Waendel Walk, and there has been an increase in visitors to Chester House Farm who have walked from Wellingborough, Irchester and Rushden rather than use their car.
It was important to consider other infrastructure in the area such as the adjacent Environment Agency mooring. Both footbridges match the colour of the Environment Agency mooring to ensure continuity in the landscape.
As this section of the River Nene is a navigable watercourse, the river bridge was designed with an allowance of the mean water level to ensure there is suitable clearance below the bridge ensuring it remains navigable throughout the year.
We maintained the visual aesthetic by using sustainable vegetated bags and stone matching Chester House to retain the ramps and embankments leading to the structure. We used estate style fencing as approach railings due to its slender design and low visual impact. And we chose deck boards for their longevity, aesthetics, green credentials, and non-slip nature.
This was a no dig site and to protect the Scheduled Ancient Monument, the channel crossing bridge was designed with a spread plate foundation ensuring no damage was done to the existing ground.
No two infrastructure projects are alike and should be treated in accordance with their complexity. Each project has its own set of problems that need to be solved. Skills critical to the success of an infrastructure project are:
Communication
Organisation
Strong Leadership and Decisiveness
Behaviour and Work Ethic
Innovation
Sustainability
Collaboration
Commercial Awareness
Vision and Creativity
Awareness and understanding of stakeholder concern
The primary stakeholder was Historic England. Without their approval or ‘buy-in’ we would not have been able to proceed with the project. A core concern was how the bridges would look in a rural and protected environment. To help Historic England visualise the effect of our proposed structures on the existing landscape, we arranged for artistic renderings of the proposed designs.
To further aide us in obtaining their buy-in, we arranged our design and build supply chain partner to produce an options report. The options report contained four different structure arrangements: vierendeel frame, beam bridge, pratt truss, warren truss, along with five parapet options: vertical railings, solid infill, mesh infill, horizontal wire, and glass.
We provided two different deck options in replacement of the original timber decks; these were steel and fibre reinforced polymer. A Warren Truss, vertical railings, with FRP decking was recommended and accepted by Historic England.
There are several ways to measure the success of an infrastructure project. These include reviewing project scope, evaluating project specifications, analysing the project budget, and reviewing client, stakeholders, and internal satisfaction.
The success of Chester House Farm was predominantly measured by a series of factors such as: The site remained a no dig site for the duration of the project. This was critical.
Chester House Farm’s commercial operations were not interrupted by the extensive temporary works arrangement needed for the project.
Both the channel crossing bridge and the river bridge were successfully installed without ground disturbance.
Periodic supervision by a resident archaeologist ensured successful management on this Scheduled Ancient Monument. When a historic coin was located by a site operative our protocols led to the artifact being given to the active archaeological dig in the Chester House Farm gardens.
There was no disturbance to the SSSI/SPA/RAMSAR conservation area located north of the river bridge.
All stakeholders were pleased with the end result.
Civil engineering leaders today need to be thinking about how to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Management of sustainability including, but not limited, to greenhouse gas emissions, they need to build awareness and mobilise commitment, consolidate gains to produce more important changes, and have credible plans to get there.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the CIHT or its members. Neither the CIHT nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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