Client Vision.
The contract was to refurbish St. Dominic’s Bridge in Drogheda and to upgrade cycling lanes and facilities on the bridge.
It is a key link serving the Rathmullen Road and Ballsgrove estates on the south of the River Boyne to the Town Centre on the North.
The works are being funded by the National Transport Authority through its Active Travel Investment Programme.
The project is a key cycle and pedestrian route and was designed as a significant upgrade to The Bridge built in 1863 which was closed to motor traffic in the 1970s.
Irish Fencing Services were appointed to the project as the Manufacturers and Installers of the Bridge Parapet.Irish Fencing Services were asked to review the Parapet Railing design by Jons Civil the Main Contractor and to provide proposals regarding cost, design and safety aspects, because of our previous experience working with Jons and other similar projects we had completed.
Shane winters our MD and a native and resident of County Louth took a close interest in this project and once again renewed his relationship with Jons Civil which has covered many projects dating from the 1980s
Key Challenges.
The Bridge whilst intended as Pedestrian and Cycle access can on occasions carry service vehicles so the Parapets were required to comply with Department of Transport Requirements for Vehicle Impact and Control.
With pedestrians including children in proximity the parapet needed to also offer protection from falls and to deter climbing.
Minimal maintenance during the projected lifetime was required as well as a design that ensured ease of installation.
Shane Winters and Jons Civil Contracts Manager Eugene Murray discussed the construction programme and reviewed several of our completed projects which we could reference. One of these was one which we completed last year for Dublin Port Company. This was in an internal area as part of their Heritage Scheme.
It was agreed to use this design and adapt it to the client’s requirements.
Overcoming the Challenges.
The height was increased above the minimum Parapet requirement to 1400mm
The design was adapted by tapering the upper portion inwards to further improve the anti-climb features.
The fixing and site assembly detail was amended to give additional flexibility during installation.
A colour finish to the galvanised steelwork was selected to suit the materials used in road finishes and the natural environment
Irish Fencing Services drew up drawings of our proposal for approval by Consultants, Contractor and Client.
Products Supplied.
The Parapet was constructed in our Dublin Plant It is 1400mm high
The materials used were 125×12 Mild Steel Flat Tapered Plasma cut uprights for posts with 175 x 125 x12mm baseplates to take 4 number anchors per post.
26mm x 3mm horizontal rails at 125mm centres (!00mm Max Gap)
Top rail 48mm OD 3mm wall and handrail 33mm OD 3mm wall.
The panels were produced as double bays and were Hot Dipped Galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461:2009, it was subsequently Polyester Powder Coated to BS EN 13438:2013. In RAL7040.
Installation and transportation were Co-Ordinated by our Contracts Manager Eoin Ennis.
Positive Outcomes
Because of the detailed preproduction work on the design and the close collaboration with Jons installation was completed by a three man crew with one of our longest serving employees Dennis Doyle in charge in 5 working days. The bridge is now a pleasing access directly to Drogheda Town centre.
