The Lowry Footbridge
The Lowry Project includes the The Lowry, the Plaza, the Digital World Centre, the lifting footbridge, access routes and transport infrastructure. Designated the National Landmark Millennium Project for the Arts, The Lowry Project forms part of the wider flagship regeneration project at Salford Quays and has already proved itself to be a catalyst for further economic regeneration of the Quays.
The lifting footbridge spans the Manchester Ship Canal linking The Lowry with Trafford Wharfside and the site of the Imperial War Museum - North and Manchester United Football Club. The footbridge is one element of The Lowry Project. This 92 metre long, single span bridge provides pedestrian and cycle access across the canal while continuing to maintain the regular shipping traffic.
On 29 January 1999, the arched deck of the footbridge was floated 500m along the Manchester Ship Canal in order that it could be lifted into its final position. A special barge sailed in from Holland to facilitate this manoeuvre.
The footbridge was complete in June 1999, but wasn't open to the public until The Lowry opened on 28th April 2000. Four tubular steel towers, each 30 metres in height, allow the deck to be raised 23 metres above the canal waterline when shipping needs to pass. Motors drive a 60 tonne counterweight down each tower, which, by way of a series of pulleys, vertically lifts the 250 tonne deck. In addition, this lifting mechanism is exposed and open to view by visitors, providing an attractive and educational feature.
Designers: Parkman
Deck designed by: Carlos Fernandez Casado
Contractors: Christiani & Neilsen
Time to build: 1.5 years
Construction cost: £5 million
Funding: European Commission
English Partnerships
Millennium Commission
City of Salford
the former Trafford Park Development Corporation
Posted on Wednesday, 10 April 2002 under Press