Day full of suspense

INGENIOUS MENAI BRIDGE GANTRY LIFTED FROM BARGE IN DRAMATIC OPERATION

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

WORK began this week on lifting a giant gantry system up to the Menai Suspension Bridge.

Local people watched in fascination as the novel system was deployed for the first time.

Steel gantry sections were brought to the site on a barge from Port Penrhyn, Bangor, where they had been stored for several months.

When joined together, they will combine to form an "AeroTruss" gantry - a system designed specifically for the bridge by contractors Spencer Bridge Engineering (SBE).

This bespoke "modular moving access system" will enable underdeck painting, described by SBE as the "most significant package" of the bridge's phase 2 works.

It's seen as a modern alternative to traditional access methods on complex bridge projects, eliminating the need for traffic management for this part of the repair programme.

Two load-bearing platforms are being installed at the bridge's towers. These will be joined by two painting platforms that will move along the deck, giving a sealed environment for work on the underdeck.