en.Wedoany.com Reported - Bristol Airport has installed a 60-meter Acrow 700XS modular steel bridge during its expansion, directing construction traffic from landside directly to an elevated bus platform above airside, avoiding disruption to busy airport operations. The solution, leased by main contractor Farrans, was prefabricated in three sections of 21 meters, 18 meters, and 21 meters, plus a 12-meter ramp, installed within a four-hour lifting window, while maintaining a minimum clearance of 2.2 meters above the airport's sole baggage drop-off lane.
The challenge of airport construction lies in ensuring operations remain uninterrupted, and this bridge resolves that conflict. The modular steel bridge features a single-lane design, 4.2 meters wide, with an epoxy anti-slip deck. Designed to national highway standard CS454, it can carry a single 44-ton vehicle, ensuring the heaviest construction trucks can pass safely. Construction vehicles do not need to enter airside areas, reducing security escorts, permit applications, and time restrictions, effectively controlling project costs.
The bridge was supplied by Acrow, whose 700XS panel system supports rapid deployment and dismantling and is reusable. Laura Jones, Acrow's UK Business Development Manager, stated that maintaining safe and efficient access during airport construction is always complex, and modular bridges offer a practical solution. Michael Treacy, CEO of Acrow Global Ltd., noted that the company's modular bridge solutions feature rapid deployment, adaptability to site constraints, and versatility.
Bristol Airport is implementing a multi-year upgrade plan to reach its approved passenger cap of 12 million per year. The plan already includes a new public transport interchange and continues with terminal and airfield improvements, with the airport currently handling approximately 10.8 million passengers annually. Additionally, the airport has submitted a proposal worth around £500 million, aiming to raise the cap to 15 million by the late 2030s, currently pending review by North Somerset Council. Regarding ownership, Macquarie Asset Management acquired a 55% stake in the airport in November 2025, together with a group of co-owners, reflecting continued interest in regional airport infrastructure as a long-term asset class.
The reusability and leasing model of modular bridges are changing how contractors think about construction logistics. This approach transforms custom civil engineering into a ready-made, time-limited service, where the structure can be returned to the supplier's inventory after project completion, avoiding capital lock-up. This model is applicable to railway depots, ports, hospitals, and any facility where downtime is costly, demonstrating a viable method for construction without shutting down assets.
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