Structural Achievement Commendation 2004

WSP Cantor Seinuk
Golden Jubilee Bridges - London, UK

Structural engineers thrive on a challenge – it makes the job interesting! In the case of the Golden Jubilee Bridges the challenge was to cross the River Thames and the Victoria Embankment with two footbridges, one each side of the Charing Cross railway bridge, positioned over three main underground lines and a telecommunications tunnel – and with buried unexploded bombs.

These striking structures are a tribute to the structural engineers who have designed elegant bridges suspended by a fan of cables at the position of each of the existing 1864 bridge abutments. The cables are supported by 25m high pylons, which are supported on piled foundations.

Innovation was the driving force to overcome all the site problems. The judges were impressed with the use of precast ship impact beams, which were floated into position. Working with cranes alongside the bridge was avoided by launching the main beams from the casting yards on the South Bank.

The bridges are well used and provide wonderful views of The London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. At night the structures themselves are lit and provide a landmark in their own right and are a tribute to the engineers who designed them.

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