Tower Bridge, London - Glass Walkway fabricated and installed by Ekspan

On Monday 10th November, the first of 2 new glass floors fabricated and installed by Sheffield engineering firm Ekspan on the West Walkway at Tower Bridge opened to the public – offering visitors a bird’s eye view of spectacular bridge lifts below their feet, ingenious Victorian engineering and stunning day and night views from London’s most iconic landmark, for the first time in its 120 year history. Specialist in structural engineering solutions and design, Ekspan deployed in-house expertise, skilled engineers and sub-contractors to deliver this £1 million funded high profile project for the Bridge House Estates and City of London Corporation – and overcome the multiple challenges of working on a tidal waterway 42 metres above the Thames on a busy, constrained Grade 1 heritage site subject to multiple regulations. The elevated East and West Walkways between the North and South Towers, are each to have 6 reinforced glass floor panels (each weighing 530kgs) installed within a carbon steel framework. The panels measure a length of 11 metres by 1.8 metres width per Walkway. Ekspan have ensured the Walkways original steel lattice structure has been preserved under the glass whilst installation work is carried out. The second glass floor, still under construction, on the East Walkway is set for re-opening 1 December 2014. Tower Bridge’s high-level Walkways provide access to the Tower Bridge Exhibition, attracting circa 600,000 visitors per year. This exciting new glass structural feature, together with Tower Bridge’s launch of its first ever state of the Art Augmented Reality App, will significantly increase visitor numbers both new and also those re-visiting. Ekspan enjoy a well-established relationship with the City of London Corporation, having carried out previous maintenance works on Tower Bridge and are proud to have delivered this new engineered feature to Tower’s Walkways. Christopher Earlie, Head of Tower Bridge said: “The opening of Tower Bridge marked the dawn of a legendary feet of engineering creating what is considered by many as the most famous bridge in the world. Today, 120 years on, we are extremely proud to unveil the new glass floor on the high-level Walkways – another astonishing engineering accomplishment.” Robert Carter, Senior Project Manager, Ekspan said: “As mechanical engineers, it is not our work ethic to shy away from challenges or works claimed to be impossible. This project, I have to say, is definitely up there in the top ten for challenging, purely down to its location being the very heart of London’s thriving hub. This made planning logistics for deliveries and all works process deadlines critical to accommodate the movement of working and residential public, road access, pre-booked events at the Tower, environmental noise pollution, working at a height over water and the live carriageway. The success of this project is as a result of great communication, team work and the adaptability of our staff to work to suit our Client’s requirements.” Phillip Lawton, Operations Director, Ekspan said: “This is one of the most prestigious and highly esteemed projects that Ekspan have been a part of and it has been a privilege to assist the City of London Corporation in delivering their vision on time.”