Skip to main content

New bridge surfacing

A new wearing course applied by Bolidt on the entire eastern section of the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam is helping improve the surface for road users. The bridge forms an important link in the centre of the city of Rotterdam and using its equipment Bolidt was able to apply 3,000m2 of new wearing course on Erasmus Bridge in 4 hours. The Rotterdam authorities commissioned Bolidt again after the previous surface the firm applied, its Bridgedeck Up product, lasted over a decade. This time the work was carried o
February 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Using Bolidt's technology to resurface a Rotterdam bridge cut installation time
A new wearing course applied by 2291 Bolidt on the entire eastern section of the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam is helping improve the surface for road users. The bridge forms an important link in the centre of the city of Rotterdam and using its equipment Bolidt was able to apply 3,000m2 of new wearing course on Erasmus Bridge in 4 hours. The Rotterdam authorities commissioned Bolidt again after the previous surface the firm applied, its Bridgedeck Up product, lasted over a decade. This time the work was carried out using a machine developed by Bolidt, speeding installation.

Although the previous wearing course was still intact, the decision to replace it was made as part of a maintenance operation. Over one weekend, the entire eastern section of the bridge was resurfaced with a new wearing course and lining. The work was carried out in less than 36 hours due to the equipment used and this high productivity was of key importance as Rotterdam has a heavy traffic load and a prolonged closure would have resulted in serious congestion.

The Bolimix machine was developed by Bolidt originally for the application of wearing courses on concrete bases. The Erasmus Bridge has a steel base, which requires a different type of wearing course and Bolidt had to adapt the machine especially for the work. Exchangeable tanks, allowing a short conversion time, were made to achieve this. Where in the past it was necessary to have several days of dry weather, this has now been reduced to approximately 1.5 days. After the wearing course has been applied, rain no longer forms a hindrance.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Advances in concrete paving materials
    July 9, 2012
    Innovations in materials technology, as well as machines, could provide a major boost to the concrete paving sector - Mike Woof reports Development of new material technologies for the concrete paving sector continues apace and the latest innovations could provide the biggest boost for this market in many years. High performance cementitious material (HPCM) is an innovative concept that has been developed and tested for road surfacing applications as part of a project in which the UK's Transport Research La
  • Bridge savings in Scotland to fund road improvements
    August 27, 2014
    The project to construct the new Forth Crossing close to Scottish capital Edinburgh is looking extremely positive, with cost savings envisaged for the bridge. The Queensferry Crossing scheme now looks to require slightly less funding than had been originally expected when the plans were unveiled in 2011, due in part to tight controls over spending. The bridge costs had been budgeted at close to €2 billion (£1.6 billion) initially but the project now looks likely to cost €1.81 billion (£1.45 billion). The sa
  • Roadmarking requirements can boost highway safety for road users
    April 11, 2013
    Road markings are an essential component of a modern infrastructure and an essential contributor to driver comfort and road safety. The COST 331 study, which ran from 1996 to 1999, mainly focused on dry night conditions and indicated that the increased luminance of road markings, results in a better delineation of the road and offers more reaction time for drivers. On average a slight increase in speed was noted, but the increased visibility was mainly converted into more reaction time. IMPROVER, which ran
  • Riga's newest bridge improved traffic flow
    April 11, 2012
    An alliance of companies has come together to realise major infrastructure projects in Latvia including its biggest bridge. Patrick Smith reports. Riga, the Latvian capital, has the finest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe and its centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.