HOK Unveils Design for Proposed New East London Bridge

HOK Unveils Design for Proposed New East London Bridge

Jul 1, 2014  | Civil engineering 

HOK Unveils Design for Proposed New East London Bridge
(Photo by: HOK)

Bridge East London, a new Thames crossing proposed by HOK with Arup, would help transform leisure and business travel while providing an economic boost to East London.

Announced to coincide with the 120th anniversary of the completion of Tower Bridge – the easternmost bridge over the Thames in London – the new bridge would link Beckton and Thamesmead at Gallions Reach.

The structure would allow clear passage for ships and takes into account aircraft taking off or landing at City Airport. The design also designates a segregated cycle path and opens up new bus routes crossing the river.

“Nearly half of London’s population lives east of Tower Bridge yet they are served by only two fixed road river crossings,” said Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It is an area with huge amounts of potential and while the Olympics acted as a crucible for creativity and dynamism in the area, its future growth is being held back by this gap in transport infrastructure.”

London’s population is predicted to grow by 1.5 million in 20 years, and independent economic analysis shows the bridge will add £55.7 million to the London economy annually.

“If the full potential of east London is to be harnessed and maximized to the benefit of our growing city, then we need to provide catalysts to enable that potential to flourish,” said Richard Gammon, HOK’s global director, Aviation + Transportation. “Improving connectivity and accessibility is a key element of this regenerative process, and we strongly believe that a new bridge in this location will act as a powerful stimulant to growth, the strengthening of local communities and businesses, and the enhancement of the local environment”.

Via HOK
Image,video ©: HOK