£2.5m bridge upgrade is Bosch Rexroth`s biggest UK contract

Bosch Rexroth has won its largest ever UK order — a £2.5m project to refurbish a twin bascule bridge in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The contract involves the electrical and mechanical refurbishment of the Lowestoft Bridge (above), which carries the busy A12 road over a dock channel in the centre of the town. It is the first time that Bosch Rexroth has acted as the main contractor on a project of this nature.

The contract, put out to tender by the Highways Agency, attracted five bidders. They had to show that they could keep traffic moving at all times.

Bosch Rexroth was able to demonstrate how it managed to keep old equipment working alongside new equipment when it restored London`s Tower Bridge, which has a similar bascule design, a few years ago. The Lowestoft project will involve some overnight and weekend closures, but the bridge will stay open between April and October as well as for Bank Holidays and major local events.

The project will make use of Bosch Rexroth`s expertise in mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, hydraulics and civil engineering. Although the company will outsource some work to sub-contractors, it plans to perform the core work itself.

Work on the bridge is due to start in early 2007 and should be completed by early 2008.