The winner of the low-carbon footbridge design race will be tested on a crossing over the A127, a key strategic road connecting Southend and London, close to the northern end of the Lower Thames Crossing.
But National Highways said the winning design could also form the new footbridge standard and be replicated across Britain’s roads.
Shaun Pidcock, Programme Director, Lower Thames Crossing said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is green by design, so it was pleasing that we received so many high quality entries for a low-carbon footbridge of the future, the perfect complement to the scheme.
“The five shortlisted entries all plan to utilise new low-carbon materials, and I look forward to seeing how the designs develop and the eventual winner being selected.”
The winning design is due to be announced in late Spring 2025.
Shortlisted bridge designs
Arup and Sean Harrington Associates: A two-span bridge with twin haunched glulam girders, with an all-steel central pier and steep reinforced earth embankments for the approaches.
COWI and Moxon: A slender timber bridge supported on a V-shape stainless steel pier, minimising span lengths for an efficient low carbon solution.
Davies Maguire: A timber bridge with twin haunched girders, an inclined steel prop as the main pier and stone columns for the approach piers.
Useful Studio Architects and Expedition Engineering: A modular truss bridge re-using steel materials and adopting an industrial process for repeatability and efficiency.
Webb Yates Engineers: A prestressed stone bridge, with the internal tendon profile reflected in the treatment of the façade. A modern interpretation of the traditional stone bridge.
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