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Major Danish project for Atkins

Engineering firm Atkins is now handling design work on a major highway and bridge project in Denmark.
March 1, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Engineering firm 3005 Atkins is now handling design work on a major highway and bridge project in Denmark. The firm is carrying out preliminary studies and design work for several new and existing bridge structures, as part of a widening programme on the Køge Bay highway in Denmark.

The project involves widening the highway from six to eight lanes will require the construction of seven new bridges, extension of nine existing bridges and re-insulation of three bridges.

The 8km long section of highway, which carries over 100,000 vehicles/day, will remain operational whilst the work is taking place. Traffic will run alongside the extended lanes. Atkins will work closely with the 2284 Danish Road Directorate and other consultants working on the extension to ensure that disruption to traffic is kept to a minimum. "This is a highly complicated assignment due to the large number of bridges, and the need to keep traffic flowing throughout the construction process. With 100,000 vehicles using the motorway every day this will require expert project management to ensure the work proceeds as smoothly and as safely as possible so that motorists are not unduly inconvenienced," said Atkins' market director Martin Svenning Nielsen.

 The first phase of the project will see the construction of a new bridge across Karlstrup Marsh, located next to the existing highway. The bridge will be constructed on piles due to the soft subsoil and to protect the natural environment of the area. The bridge's construction will not interfere with existing highway traffic and it will also be used as a temporary road during the construction work. Atkins will begin design work on the project immediately. Martin Svenning Nielsen and his team of bridge experts from the former Gimsing & Madsen consultancy, acquired by Atkins last year, have consulted on a number of highway structures in Jutland, Denmark. The team also served as client advisors for the construction of Denmark's longest, tallest valley bridge over Funder Valley Silkeborg.

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