BRIDGE MAKES FIRST CONNECTION BETWEEN NEW AND EXISTING SITES AT THE HOME OF ROLLS-ROYCE – AutoMart Canada

• New bridge connects existing building and extension site at the
  Home of Rolls-Royce
• 30m (100ft), 20-tonne steel structure is first physical connection
  uniting the two areas
• Marks the next important milestone in above-ground construction
• Bridge prefabricated in Scotland and delivered as a single assembly

 

“Although it’s being built next to our existing premises, our new
extension has been entirely separate until now. Installing this new
bridge is therefore a significant development, marking the first
physical connection between our existing and new sites. Like the
extension building, the bridge is currently a steel skeleton, but
once completed, it will provide a seamless connection between the
two sites, which will be essential to the smooth operation of our
manufacturing processes. Transporting the bridge from Scotland and
installing it here as a single structure has been a major feat of
logistics and engineering. Sincere thanks and congratulations to our
construction and technical partners for their expertise and skill,
our own Rolls-Royce project team for successfully coordinating and
managing this highly complex operation, and our neighbours in the
local community for their continued understanding and support.”

Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage,
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has marked another milestone
in the above-ground construction of its new extension at the Home of
Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, with the installation of a bridge linking the
existing premises with the site of what will become the new building,
currently under construction alongside it.

Made from steel, the bridge is 30m (100ft) long, 4.4m (14ft)
wide and 10m (32ft) high; it weighs just over 20-tonnes. Yet despite
its size and weight, its ingenious design means the bridge appears to
float in the air – just like the Home of Rolls-Royce’s other famous
walkway, the Skywalk, that ‘floats’ above the marque’s production areas.

The new bridge was prefabricated off-site by a specialist
metalworking company in Scotland and delivered to the Home of
Rolls-Royce by road as a single assembly. This was a significant
organisational and logistical challenge, especially on the narrow
roads of rural West Sussex in the journey’s final stages. The
Rolls-Royce project team worked closely with transport, technical and
construction partners, relevant authorities and the local community to
ensure the bridge arrived on time, in perfect condition and with
minimal disruption to residents and other road users.

The bridge, which has been carefully integrated into the
existing building, is the first physical connection between the
original premises that opened in 2003, and the site of the new 40,000
sq m (430,500 sq ft) building. Once complete, this new structure will
house a new Surface Finish Centre (paint shop), as well as new
equipment and production areas for Bespoke and Coachbuild commissions,
and a Logistics area.