Skip to main content

Iconic Dunlop bridge replaced

Work is underway to redevelop Donington Park motor racing circuit in the UK in readiness for the 2010 British Formula 1 Grand Prix.
February 24, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Work is underway to redevelop Donington Park motor racing circuit in the UK in readiness for the 2010 British Formula 1 Grand Prix.

A major cut and cover tunnel to provide ready access to the infield area pits and paddock complex required for access to the track is complete, and the iconic 3219 Dunlop pedestrian bridge that has straddled the circuit in county Leicestershire for more than 30 years has been carefully taken down by Armac Group's demolition team. It will be resited elsewhere at the circuit venue.

Circuit owner Simon Gillett said: "As a motorsport enthusiast I am sorry to see the Dunlop bridge coming down
"However, this work signals the fast-paced progression that we continue to make with our redevelopment programme, and is a further demonstration of our commitment to delivering on this project."

Donington Park will host the British F1 Grand Prix for a decade from July 2010, and it was given permission to proceed with planned circuit developments in January. The first stage of improvements include new pits, media centre and hospitality suites as well as realignment, widening and extension of existing track, two new vehicle access tunnels and widening of a pedestrian tunnel.

Contractor Amphion Construction has been appointed, and German consultant Tilke has carried out the design work on the buildings and the circuit.
Tilke architect Peter Wahl has worked extensively on the Donington Park redevelopment project with partner Herman Tilke.

Tilke has designed many of the world's newest circuits, but Donington Park is the company's first project in England.

"The long straight will be very fast, but then it goes into a slow hairpin and I believe that will create the perfect overtaking place, and that is what we need, more overtaking, more excitement," said Wahl.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Busy UK motorway junction demolished in tight time frame – Mark Anthony reports
    October 18, 2012
    Military-style planning and overwhelming demolition firepower ensured that Armac Group avoided financial penalties and the wrath of drivers on one of the UK’s busiest motorway intersections. Demolition & Dismantling reports. 6 January is traditionally known for the visit of the three wise men to Bethlehem. However, on 6 January 2012, three wise demolition engineers from Armac Group was tasked with dismantling the monumental structure known as Catthorpe Viaduct: the main overbridge of the M6/M1/A14 interc
  • High performance pavers build high performance track
    February 29, 2012
    Work on the new Formula 1 racing circuit in Abu Dhabi is progressing at high speed. Over 6,000 construction personnel are working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to complete the new high-speed circuit and its infrastructure. German contractor Bickhardt-Bau is carrying out the paving work, using a fleet of new Vögele pavers and Hamm compaction rollers.
  • Australian mega link route opens
    November 29, 2012
    Australia’s largest and most complex transport infrastructure project in the city of Brisbane has been officially opened to traffic. The first vehicles have now used the Airport Link, Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) and Airport Roundabout Upgrade projects, which together form an extensive US$5.85 billion transport project. The project in Australia’s third most populous city in the state of Queensland comprises a toll road and dedicated busway route, together involving almost 12km of tunnels (described
  • Economic gains from widening the A453 in Nottingham, England
    August 12, 2014
    Work is well underway on turning a busy just over 11km two-lane link road from the city of Nottingham to Junction 24 of the M1 in Leicestershire, England into a four-lane highway. The widened highway will relieve considerable peak-time congestion for travellers to Nottingham, the M1 and East Midlands Airport while also making journeys safer and more reliable. Guy Woodford reports Used by up to 30,000 vehicles a day, the A453 is renowned for congestion at peak travel times. But years of day-to-day commuter a