Clyde Arc News, Squinty Finnieston Road Bridge Photos, Closure, Scottish Structure Images

Finnieston Bridge over River Clyde

Clyde Arc, Pacific Quay – River Crossing in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland

Major Glasgow bridge – opened 18 Sep 2006

Finnieston Bridge Glasgow

photo © Keith Hunter

Statement On Clyde Arc Closure

Clyde Arc

Following a meeting today between Glasgow City Council, and the Clyde Arc contractors and design team, it has been decided that the bridge will remain closed pending further investigations.

It is unclear at this stage when the bridge will reopen but it is likely to remain closed for several weeks.

Robert Booth, Executive Director of Land and Environmental Services at Glasgow City Council, said temporary traffic diversions were in place to minimise disruption to the travelling public.

picture © webbaviation

Mr Booth said: “One of the 14 bridge supports has failed but we don’t believe the integrity of the bridge is affected. Clyde Arc is designed to allow for the removal of one of the bridge supports at a time for repair and maintenance without affecting its operation.

“However, our number one priority is public safety and until we are completely satisfied the bridge is safe to use, it will remain closed.

“The bridge is still under guarantee by the main contractor, who will report back to the Council once they have established the cause following their investigations and independent testing of the broken part.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience to the travelling public but I think people will understand why we have taken this course of action.”

city’s iconic clyde arc wins top award – 1 Nov 2007:

Glasgow’s Clyde Arc has won a top engineering award.
The £20m bridge opened in September last year is now synonymous with the city.

photos © Keith Hunter

The Saltire Society Awards, a barometer of excellence in Scottish Culture celebrates achievement across the arts, literature, music and science.

The annual Saltire Awards for Civil Engineering 2007 judged the Clyde Arc the overall winner, describing it as “an elegant addition to the skyline”.

Stobcross on-ramp was also commended as a feat of modern engineering in that traffic remained moving along it during its construction.

Councillor Ruth Simpson, Executive Member for Land and Environmental Services, said: “The Clyde Arc is definitely symbolic of the confidence and regeneration the city is showing. It is a beautiful structure, particularly when it is lit up at night and I know Glaswegians are rightly proud of it. Like the Armadillo it will prove an enduring representation of the city.”

Executive Director of Land Services, Robert Booth, said: “Glasgow was built on engineering and we have the technical knowledge and expertise to bring bold and exciting projects to the city. The Council is delighted that the Clyde Arc and Stobcross on-ramp have been recognised by the Saltire Society.”

The Saltire Society was founded in the 1930’s by a group of like-minded people who saw a need to interest Scots themselves in their own rich culture – the arts, literature, music and also their country’s history and its environment.

The aim of the Saltire Society is to preserve all that is best in Scottish tradition and to encourage every new development that can strengthen and enrich the country’s cultural life.

Finnieston Bridge from the west:

building photo © Isabelle Lomholt, Sep 2006