The MediaCityUK Footbridge is an asymmetric, cable-stayed, swing bridge providing pedestrian access into the heart of the new MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays. This paper examines visual and structural aspects of this contemporary and unique 100 m long moving footbridge spanning over the Manchester Ship Canal. The paper describes how the footbridge has been designed to respond to and overcome the conflicts of aspirations, access requirements and challenging geometrical constraints of its location. Key structural design challenges are discussed, and the paper describes how these were overcome to provide a spectacular southern pedestrian gateway to the MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays. The bridge also addresses anticipated future development at Trafford Wharf to the south of the Manchester Ship Canal and in conjunction with the existing Lowry Bridge enhances pedestrian links for the area as a whole, celebrating the heritage of the Manchester Ship Canal as a living amenity.
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2 June 2015
Research Article|
January 16 2015
MediaCityUK Footbridge, Salford, UK
Fabio Gazzola, PhD, CEng, MICE, Dott Ing;
Fabio Gazzola, PhD, CEng, MICE, Dott Ing
1
Principal Engineer, Ramboll, Southampton, UK
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Steve Thompson, EurIng, BEng (Hons), CEng, MICE;
Steve Thompson, EurIng, BEng (Hons), CEng, MICE
2
Project Director, Ramboll, Southampton, UK
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Peter Curran, BSc, CEng, MICE, MIStructE
Peter Curran, BSc, CEng, MICE, MIStructE
3
International Bridge Director, Ramboll, Southampton, UK
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Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
December 12 2013
Accepted:
September 19 2014
Online ISSN: 1751-7664
Print ISSN: 1478-4637
ICE Publishing: All rights reserved
2015
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering (2015) 168 (2): 81–97.
Article history
Received:
December 12 2013
Accepted:
September 19 2014
Citation
Gazzola F, Thompson S, Curran P (2015), "MediaCityUK Footbridge, Salford, UK". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, Vol. 168 No. 2 pp. 81–97, doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/bren.13.00032
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