Alexandra Road Bridge built to impress

Construction of the Alexandra Road Bridge in the port of the Irish capital Dublin was completed in November 2021. And application of the high-quality surface protection system MC-Color Flex pro ensured that the exacting specifications governing the protection and aesthetics of the structure were duly met.

Dublin Port is the largest cargo and passenger port in Ireland. And the Dublin Port Company (DPC), a state-owned commercial enterprise, is responsible for the operation and development of this important transshipment hub. In 2020, the DPC prepared plans to connect two dockyard areas with a new bridge over Alexandra Road. The project involved the construction of a 150 m long and 13 m wide two-lane vehicular overpass with access ramps, to be used exclusively for port-related commercial and service traffic. Darmody Architects was commissioned to design the structure, taking into account the industrial heritage of the port and its connection to the city of Dublin and its inhabitants. Thus the key elements of the bridge came into being: a central span finished in a bold red to match the Poolbeg lighthouse in Dublin Bay, adorned with a pattern reminiscent of the waterfront.

The long-established construction company John Sisk & Son was engaged as the project‘s general contractor, and the application of the protection system was finally entrusted to Silcon Systems. Corrosion Solutions & Inspection Services were also called in as consultants to advise on matters relating to corrosion protection and protective coatings. All these companies have been working successfully with MC for many years. In order to provide the bridge with permanent protection while ensuring that the aesthetic effect of the structure is maintained for years to come, the highly flexible surface protection system MC-Color Flex pro was used. MC’s system has often shown that it can withstand the aggressive weather conditions of a marine environment and effectively bridge any micro-cracks in the concrete, thus extending the life of the structures involved. In addition, it is available in a wide range of colours and was therefore also able to meet the specification of exactly matching the Poolbeg lighthouse’s red shade.