A major advantage for Bosch Rexroth in winning the contract was that it was able to offer expertise in the main areas that the project involved: mechanical equipment; electrical equipment; hydraulics and civil engineering. Indeed, even though Bosch Rexroth is to outsource some work to sub-contractors it is able to perform the core requirements itself and jobs such as installing the fire alarm and the CCTV system is planned to be completed through its sister company Bosch Security Systems.

As the bridge is part of the busy A12, the major artery into Felixstowe docks, it was important that Bosch Rexroth could demonstrate that they could keep traffic moving at all times. During the work there will be overnight closures, and the scheme will also require some weekend closures. However, the bridge will not be closed over the weekends between April and October, or during bank holidays and major local events.

In order to facilitate the required traffic flow Bosch Rexroth, at the bid stage, was able to demonstrate its proven technical competence with a strategy that involves old equipment working in conjunction with new equipment in order to keep the bridge operational for as much of the time as is possible.

MJ Information No: 22505