H&H, in partnership with Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD), celebrates the opening of Herring Bridge, Great Yarmouth, UK. The firms designed the new double-leaf bascule bridge over the River Yare, which will open on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The design-build project was built by a joint venture of contractors BAM UK & Ireland and Farrans Construction. Norfolk County Council prioritized this infrastructure investment to attract development, create jobs, and improve the quality of life in the community.

Throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries, Great Yarmouth was known for its robust fishing industry, with herring as the primary export. The naming of the bridge commemorates the town’s rich cultural history. As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Great Yarmouth’s last remaining steam drifter, The Lydia Eva, will be taking part in the river procession to complement the official celebration.

The new moveable span is 25.2 meters wide, 68 meters long between the trunnion centerlines, and carries two lanes of vehicular traffic in each direction along with footpaths and cycle tracks, which will ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity.

H&H was responsible for developing the overall bascule leaf concept with ROD and helped establish the structural configuration of the bridge and geometrics. Our team designed the mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems for the moveable span. H&H provided the detailed design of the bascule leaves rear of the live load bearings at the front of the wall of the bascule abutment, along with the counterweights, trunnions, live load bearings, nose locks, hydraulic drive machinery, and electrical control systems. ROD designed the forward section of the bascule leaves as well as the substructure, foundations, and all civil works. The moveable span structural system consists of twin steel box girders with an orthotropic deck.

Herring Bridge is powered by a closed-loop hydraulic drive system that is comprised of tandem pairs of hydraulic cylinders in a push-pull system. By harnessing this technology, H&H increased the efficiency of the bridge. Herring Bridge only takes 90 seconds to open and close, which is impressive considering the scale of the structure. Bridge control is via a programable logic controller-based system operated from the control building at the west abutment.

“The Herring Bridge is another successful venture in the 15-year relationship between H&H and Roughan & O’Donovan,” said H&H Principal Paul Skelton. The firms are collaborating on several projects in Europe and look forward to productive years ahead.

Press Coverage

Excitement rises as official opening of Herring Bridge draws near

More details on Great Yarmouth Herring Bridge opening

What will the Herring Bridge river crossing mean for Great Yarmouth?

More about the project: Great Yarmouth