Project Principles and Objectives
Ryebridge was awarded the project by competitive tender in July 2022. The project was Phase 2 and completed the new East Apron on the site of the old airport terminal building.
The project was central to the strategic growth of Bristol Airport and with the completion of the new stands 17 and 18 the airport would be then able to make operational stands 19 and 20 which had been storage areas since 2019.
The Phase 2 works also included a new Alpha Lead on and two new stops bars and a reconfigured and updated AGL system. The AGL works also included a new centreline.
All of this was required to facilitate the use of the four stands. In addition to this stands 15, 16 and 17 were severely degraded with continual defects and increasing risk of FOD. Ryebridge were contracted to plane and resurface this area whilst not impacting on the operations of the airport.
Project Works and Key Quantities
The commencement of the works involved the full site clearance including the footings from the old terminal.
All material was set aside to be crushed and recycled for use in the construction phase. In addition the enabling works included the demolition of the old Swissport tower.
As part of the site set up Ryebridge installed a temporary airside fence which facilitated easier access as the project became landside.
The AGL works due to it being within the airfield was undertaken on nights and Ryebridge worked concurrently on nights and days to accelerate the works.
The nightworks included a rockwheel to core for the stop bars. High mast lights were installed and airport specified acoustic fencing.
Project quantities:
Site clearance and set up;
Removal of footings from old terminal and recycle for fill material;
Demolition of Swissport tower;
Dig to formation and lay and compact sub base;
23,500m3 of PQ concrete;
Surface water drainage (slot drains);
Pit and duct systems for high masts and AGLs;
Install four new high mast lights;
Two ground power units (GPUs);
New airside retaining wall;
Plane and resurface stands 14-17;
New acoustic airside fence;
Airside lining
Innovation and Best Practice
The concrete footings from the old terminal were crushed, screened, recycled and used as fill material therefore reducing emissions, cost and time.
To ensure programme certainty and no impact on airside operations Ryebridge rockwheeled the new stop bars in one night each.
Concrete was handlaid to ensure quality and average pour was 250m3 per day.
Moving Forward
Ryebridge is still active at Bristol Airport and has completed other airside projects such as a new airside road for the fuel farm project
