The reconstruction of Moss Canal Bridge, Rochdale, UK

Moss Canal Bridge carries Moss Bridge Road across the Rochdale Canal in Rochdale, UK. The Rochdale Canal is designated as a site of special scientific Interest (SSSI) and a special area of conservation (SAC), as well as being used by leisure craft. The original bridge was a reinforced concrete two pinned portal structure built in 1940. The deck had deteriorated and required replacement. A new lightweight fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck was selected for the new bridge so that the substructures and foundations of the present bridge could be retained. This was done to avoid and minimise any disturbance to the canal and its status as a SSSI and SAC. The new bridge was designed using Eurocodes but adopting the principles given in BD 90/05 and the EuroComp design handbook. This paper will describe the background and constraints that influenced the design decisions. The design of the new FRP deck will be considered together with the construction of the new bridge in a sensitive location.