Blackfriars Bridge Phase 2 - Refurbishment

About the Project

The Blackfriars Bridge Refurbishment Project – Phase 2, will fully refurbish three spans (spans 1, 3 and 4) of London’s iconic Blackfriars Bridge.

The works to the three spans will include, as a non-exhaustive list:

i) Repair and renovation of the cast iron parapets.

ii) Creating a suitable temporary access system to the underside of the deck that satisfies requirements of all stakeholders.

iii) Preparation and maintenance painting of the bridge.

Pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the bridge is not to have any significant interruptions during the works.

Blackfriars Bridge was built in 1869 and carries the A201 over the River Thames. The bridge structure is owned by the City Bridge Foundation.

Spans 2 and 5 of the bridge were recently refurbished, with the works completed in 2023. However, spans 1, 3 and 4 of the bridge were last painted in 2000 and are showing rust staining in parts particularly in the outer facias/spandrels. Previous inspections of the bridge have also found the parapets to generally be in poor condition, with a number of the balusters cracked or damaged. Although the parapet does not comply with current standards a recent load test and risk assessment has justified its refurbishment rather than replacement.

About the Bridge

The original five span arch structure is formed from wrought iron spandrels and deck with a decorative cast iron outer spandrel which incorporates a decorative parapet. The structure is supported on masonry piers and abutments with a total span of 285m. The original structure, which was completed in 1869, was 22.86m wide between parapets. The structure, including piers, abutments and foundations, was widened in 1909 by 9.14m with the addition of new steel arches. At the north end of the bridge a new curved approach connecting the Victoria Embankment to the bridge was constructed that cantilevered from the north abutment.

The parapet consists of two continuous hollow cast iron box rails that are supported on balusters. The balusters are set on a plinth that is covered with wrought iron plates. Tie rods connect the rails to the concrete plinth through the hollow balusters. The parapet is approximately 1m high. The parapets are discontinuous across the piers.

The bridge is a key transport link within the City of London, one of the busiest crossings over the River Thames. Transport for London is the Highway Authority for the bridge.

Span 5 is not navigable by large vessels. Span 1 is over the Blackfriars underpass and part of the Tideway site establishment. Currently Span 2 is closed for the Tideway project works, although this is due to re-open in summer 2025. It is expected that this project will commence once the river restrictions from the Tideway project have been removed.

Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a short questionnaire

If you wish to participate in this exercise please send to the person nameed in this notice.

[email protected]

and request a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) questionnauire.

I expect you to complete and submit your (PME) questuionnaires by the 'Engagement deadline'.