This link bridge was constructed between the ESC building and North Shore Hospital (NSH) to allow the bed surplus within the ESC unit to be easily utilised for NSH patients. This link allows patients to be comfortably and efficiently transferred between buildings.
Design and Build: The design needed to maintain a minimum 4m clearance above ground to allow for emergency vehicle access, apply efficient construction methods to reduce disruption to the site, and also be aesthetically pleasing. It had to allow for potential future connections to both the multi-storey carpark and a future Procedural Suites extension to the ESC. NZ Strong worked closely with the design team to ensure buildability was an intrinsic part of the design. The bridge trusses were delivered to site and had the roof and Comflor fitted in the site compound prior to being lifted into place then fixed to the column structures in sections.
Value Engineering: At Preliminary Design a value engineering option was identified which allowed for a lesser / temporary cladding to the South elevation adjacent to ESC. This elevation will eventually be replaced by the future Procedural Suites extension, and so a temporary solution was incorporated into the design, offering a cost saving by use of a sacrificial cladding.
Working in an Operational Environment: Throughout the construction phase, the NSH had to remain fully operational at all times. Traffic management and health and safety plans were clearly defined from the outset and on-going, daily meetings with hospital management ensured construction works were clearly communicated and any concerns immediately addressed.
