Weathering Steel Box Girder Bridge Built for Scotland's Gairnshiel Crossing
Structures · Construction methods · AEC industry
Aberdeenshire Council completed the Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge along the A939 route, utilizing a 35-meter single-span weathering steel box girder composite structure to preserve a nearby 1749 historic bridge while accommodating heavy road traffic.
Aberdeenshire Council constructed the Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge to carry the A939 across the River Gairn, replacing an overused Category A-listed bridge built in 1749. The two-lane structure can carry heavy goods vehicles, relieving the historic crossing from vehicle strikes. The design adopted a 35-meter single clear span composed of bespoke fabricated weathering steel box girders acting compositely with a concrete deck, balancing flood clearance with a shallow structural depth. Due to single-track road transport limits, the bridge was transported to the remote site in two sections before being aligned and welded on site. The structure features precast concrete parapets finished with reclaimed local granite.
Key takeaways
- A 35m single-span composite structure using bespoke weathering steel box girders provides two traffic lanes capable of carrying heavy goods vehicles.
- The closed-box girder configuration supported formwork panels and wet concrete during construction, while minimizing maintenance and debris accumulation.
- Delivered in two sections over single-track access roads, the steel girders were aligned and welded on site under strict geometric control.
- The bridge parapets incorporate locally reclaimed granite and Aberdeen Harbour coping stones to integrate with the surrounding Highland landscape.
Source：Construction Management Read the original ↗
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