Edinburgh sheds light on £22m North Bridge refurbishment project

A major project to restore Edinburgh’s iconic North Bridge to its former glory is continuing as work moves to restore the structure’s cast iron works.The City of Edinburgh Council’s £22m initiative, which began in summer 2018, involves a series of structural repairs aiming to safeguard the long-term use of the Victorian Category A-listed bridge.Amongst the ongoing works are the assessment, repair or replacement of 6300 steel sections underneath the bridge – many of which have suffered from corrosion – extensive testing of the concrete deck to establish a design for improvements and the removal of redundant utilities.Specialist contractors are now in the process of restoring the structure’s cast iron works, which have not had any repairs since they were repainted in 1990.In order to access the underside of the bridge, contractors have been progressing the erection of a complex scaffolding structure – the largest since the current concrete deck was constructed in 1933 – with sections being delivered overnight from the beginning of the project to minimise disruption.During investigations and inspections, a number of hidden ‘secondary structures’ allowing utilities to pass below the road surface have been discovered. As they have fallen into disrepair it is now planned to excavate, remove and replace them.The North Bridge refurbishment upon completion will encompass:Structural steelwork repairsGrit blasting and repainting of the structural steelworkRepairs to the cast iron façadesGrit blasting and repainting of the cast iron façadesRepairs to the underside of the bridge’s concrete deckImprovements to the structural drainage systemsReplacement of expansion jointsMasonry repairs to the abutments and piersRestoration of, and repairs to, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers War Memorial (located on the east plinth of the bridge’s south pier)Installation of permanent platforms to improve access provisions for future inspection and minor maintenance.