Projects

Wentedge Road bridge carries the unclassified Wentedge Road over the dual carriageway A1 to the southeast of Wentbridge village, West Yorkshire. Octavius was awarded the role of principal contractor, on a project to ensure the structure’s integrity and extend the asset’s life, under National Highways’ Scheme Delivery Framework.

Adding to the complexity of an already challenging project was a staggered design regime. Packages were delivered in separate phases over the project’s lifespan, with additional site surveys a prerequisite for each design package’s completion.

The structure, a two-span reinforced concrete overbridge, was in poor condition. The central reservation pier had extensive areas of spalled concrete, exposed corroding reinforcement and concrete delamination to both faces. In addition the top of the pier, below the bearings, was also suffering from chloride laden water ingress. The step walls to the skeleton abutment also suffered from exposed corroding reinforcement and concrete delamination as did the east abutment slab soffit in the south cell.

Octavius’ role was to manage and deliver all of the civil engineering activities necessary to facilitate the replacement of the central reservation pier. Work was delivered in three phases, with phases one and two on the north and southbound verges providing impact protection to the abutments and working space for phase three. Phase three encompassed the demolition and replacement of the central reservation pier itself.

The original scope for phases one and two included:

• Topography and drainage surveys to allow progression of design
• Strengthening the abutments with foam concrete infill and a structural concrete front face.
• Remove vehicle restraint system (VRS), install insitu concrete retaining wall, stiffening VRS on abutment approach and departures
• Cutting and backfill slope benching, install drainage on new abutment approach and departure retaining walls
• New pipework and chambers on approach and departures to the abutments and central reservation pier
• Reducing carriageway levels by milling a 300m-length of surfacing

The original scope for phase three included:

• Renew central reservation drainage
• Remove central reservation overburden
• Excavate and install temporary foundations for bridge propping system
• Undertake temporary works design for bridge propping system
• Install bridge propping system
• Install scaffolding and Niko rail, phased removal of central pier
• Install new pier base and tie-into temporary foundations
• Install scaffold to erect pier reinforcement
• Install shutters and undertake placing of structural concrete to pier
• Install bearing plinths and elastomeric bearings
• De-jack the bridge and remove temporary propping system and header beam
• Install 200m of concrete safety barrier

In addition to the original scope outlined above, the phased release of design packages resulted in significant variations. The main elements of the scope change included:

• Temporary drainage in the southbound verge
• Provision of approach and departure retaining walls to the verge abutments
• Cut and fill the back of the approach and departure retaining walls approximately 30m each side of southbound and northbound abutments
• Reprofiling and reconstruction of the northbound carriageway pavement levels over a 300m length
• 900m of additional drainage network renewed with 15 new chambers
• Temporary works liaison for the temporary propping system was significant
• Bridge pier demolished in chunks to protect temporary propping system
• Pier reconstruction methodology designed to be undertaken in 3 separate lifts due to constraints
• Removal of central reservation overburden
• Temporary works design required specialist designer for the bridge propping system

Achieving the original and additional scope required a highly flexible approach, and necessitated the highest level of communication with the client, and close collaboration with both the client and supply chain.

Creating social value was another essential element of the project. This took the form of renewing and enhancing public spaces in nearby towns and villages including Ackworth, Upton, Kirk Smeaton, Darrington and Little Smeaton; as well as road resurfacing in Wentbridge and support for the Pontefract Trussell Trust foodbank.

Wentedge Bridge Pier Replacement is just one of the ways in which Octavius is creating and renewing transport infrastructure across northern England. To enhance its support for projects and customers in the north of England, Octavius recently established additional offices in Manchester and Leeds. With Octavius having joined RSK in 2025, these offices will allow the team to work alongside fellow RSK Group companies that provide engineering and environmental services for clients in this region. Click here to learn more about Octavius’ projects and customers in northern England.