Arup, Mabey launch Pedesta, a modular glass-fibre polymer bridge

Arup and Mabey have launched what they claim is the first modular glass-fibre reinforced polymer footbridge, with Mabey becoming the first licensed distributor. Based on a concept by engineering design company Arup, Mabey debuted the bridge, called Pedesta, at Bridges 2017, a one-day conference and exhibition in the English city of Coventry in March. The Mabey Group specialises in the design and provision of temporary works including propping and jacking as well as environmental monitoring services, formw
May 22, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The Pedesta bridge comes in any length to suit site requirements
Arup and Mabey have launched what they claim is the first modular glass-fibre reinforced polymer footbridge, with Mabey becoming the first licensed distributor.


Based on a concept by engineering design company 1419 Arup, Mabey debuted the bridge, called Pedesta, at Bridges 2017, a one-day conference and exhibition in the English city of Coventry in March.

The Mabey Group specialises in the design and provision of temporary works including propping and jacking as well as environmental monitoring services, formwork and falsework systems and the hire of non-mechanical groundworks equipment.

The post-tensioned Pedesta bridge can be assembled in remote or hard-to-reach sites inaccessible to large cranes and heavy machinery. Mabey said that the bridge provides a safer alternative to level crossings where traditional pedestrian bridges cannot be installed. Being 70% lighter than steel, the modules require only a pallet truck or forklift for transportation and handling, enabling faster, safer and more efficient project delivery.

The first bridge has been installed at a Site of Special Scientific Interest for Network Rail in Oxford. The bridge modules were light enough to be transported by an articulated truck, assembled on site and then lifted and positioned from a distance.


Pedesta is fully customisable its form, material, colour and finish. The material provides additional resistance to fire, graffiti, vandalism and ultraviolet radiation. It features include 1m-long identical modules fixed together with bolted shear connectors and then post-tensioned. The system allows spans of up to 30m so it can adapt to suit any application.

“We can see this bridge being useful for a whole host of global applications – from rail footbridges to road and river spans,” said Rebecca Stewart, an associate at Arup.

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Pilosio builds up its formwork offering with the flying table ST80
    January 6, 2017
    Pilosio’s new flying table ST80 is ideal for high construction work where pouring cycles repeat from one level to another. Flying forms are constituted by large sections of formwork, featuring supporting trusses, joists and aluminum posts. This system is used to cast slab areas with tables that can be designed in order to reach up to lengths of 30m and widths of 6m. The system enhances also side flaps in order to handle spaces between columns and slab edges.
    Read More
  • Bridge formwork solutions complete big bridge picture
    July 2, 2014
    Advanced bridge formwork solutions are allowing contractors to complete vital major highway infrastructure projects covering Norway, Sweden, Estonia and Poland. Guy Woodford reports Building the Labbdalen bridges in Norway is a key feature of the E6 highway improvement programme. Main project contractor HÆHRE tasked RMD Kwikform and Teknikk with supplying a complete formwork and shoring solution that could tackle the challenging Norwegian terrain, whilst preserving the environment. Situated two hours
    Read More
  • CET opens new laboratory to service UK’s infrastructure projects
    October 23, 2017
    With over £300 billion of investment in infrastructure planned over the next four years in the UK, materials testing firm CET is gearing up to service a lot more projects – Kristina Smith visited the newest laboratory near Heathrow to find out more. The CET Group has ambitious plans. Over the next four years it wants to double the size of its business, which in the last year turned over £27 million. “There’s a lot of positivity out there,” said Gary Corrigan, managing director of the group’s infrastructu
    Read More
  • Formwork plays a leading role in global infrastructure projects
    June 13, 2012
    New and highly regarded existing formwork systems have been used in major recent transport-related construction projects across the globe. Guy Woodford looks at some of their applications The multi-million dollar Mississippi River Bridge project in the United State is creating a vital new gateway between Illinois and Missouri. Central to the project is the realignment and reconstruction of Interstate 70 and a new landmark bridge, featuring two pylons projecting vertically from the Mississippi river bed w
    Read More

Highlighted Content