Bridge motors on to Prime Minister’s shortlist

Jun 17 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

THE view from it might not be spectacular but that hasn’t stopped the £5million motorway bridge at Harthill services being nominated for a top design award.

While the old glass-panelled bridge had become a well-known landmark for commuters making the trip between Glasgow and Edinburgh over the last four decades, its futuristic replacement has won approval since it was erected last October.

And now Gordon Brown – who some might say has been building a few bridges of his own in recent days – has paid it a compliment after it was nominated for the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award.

The PM said: “I would like to congratulate all the projects shortlisted for this year’s Better Public Building Awards. We are absolutely committed to good quality, sustainable public buildings and infrastructure, as we believe that buildings that work efficiently and effectively improve the lives of those working in and around them and mean better public services.

“These projects show how creative design can make a real difference to how buildings and places work and can deliver public buildings that the community can take pride in.”

The new bridge was put in place during a mammoth overnight operation which saw the motorway closed as the largest crane in Britain towered over 270 feet above the M8.

Getting the crane on site took incredible effort and precision planning, and the 230-ton new bridge was delivered to Harthill in seven sections. More than 45 vehicles were used to transport the giant structure and it took engineers a week to put it all together.

Judges said: “This elegant and carefully detailed footbridge is fully enclosed and weatherproof and provides a well lit, inclusive and safe crossing over Scotland’s busiest motorway.”

The winner of the awards will be announced in October.