Twin Sails Bridge

The Twin Sails Bridge (also known as The second harbour crossing) is a double leaved bascule bridge in Poole, Dorset, England. The bridge provides a second road link from Poole town centre to Hamworthy. The intention is that the bridge will allow development of four major sites, two in the town centre and two in Hamworthy, including the old power station which was closed in 1988.

The bridge spans the Backwater Channel which links Holes Bay with Poole Harbour. The bridge and approach roads are connected to the junction of West Quay Road in the East and to urban feeder roads in the West.

The new bridge is intended to operate alongside the existing Poole Bridge with one of the bridges always open for vehicular traffic (except during closures for maintenance or in a marine emergency), the intention is that variable-message signs will direct traffic to the open bridge. The bridge comprises a 10.8-metre (35 ft) wide carriageway with two vehicular lanes and two separate cycle lanes. Additionally two 2.5-metre (8 ft) wide footpaths are provided which cantilever from the bridge. The bridge is constructed in five spans, with a total length of roughly 139 metres (456 ft). The approaches comprise two 27-metre (89 ft) spans, the centre lifting span consists of two triangular leaves that span 23.4 metres (77 ft) between the main bearings to provide a clear channel of 19 metres (62 ft) when open. To permit the passage of boats through the navigation channel, the lift spans were planned to pivot to 88 degrees powered by two hydraulic rams which operate up to 15 times per day and take two minutes to fully open. Two 55-metre (180 ft) high masts are fitted to the lifting leaves, the top two metres illuminated with white LED lights. Four 7-metre (23 ft) high pillars housing the barriers, lights, speakers and traffic controls which link the bridge with the control room are located on the two fixed spans adjacent to the lifting section.

Hochtief (UK) Construction was awarded the £18.5 million contract for the construction of the bridge. The contract for the supply of around 900 tonnes of steel was awarded to Cleveland Bridge UK and Gifford UK (Ramboll) working with Wilkinson Eyre Architects are the lead design consultants. Metamont Ltd installed the marine grade stainless steel balustrade including the variable colour DMX lighting.

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