On Thursday, 8 May 2025, the first opening road bridge over the River Clyde in Scotland was officially opened at a ceremonial event organised by Renfrewshire Council.
Renfrew Bridge, a 184m double-leaf, bobtail, cable-stayed swing bridge, is the centrepiece of a £117m project to transform the Clyde waterfront and improve access to jobs, education, hospitals, and leisure pursuits. In addition to providing a significant navigational opening, it connects Renfrew to Clydebank and Yoker and carries pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles on two carriageways and two pedestrian footpaths.
Roughan & O'Donovan (ROD) collaborated with design lead H&H on the design of the swing spans and movable elements of the bridge. The two firms used an integrated design approach, with structural, mechanical, and electrical systems functioning as one and bridge geometry and systems matched to optimise functionality and long-term durability and reliability.
The double swing bridge is 130m pivot to pivot, with an asymmetric or bobtail arrangement of 65m forward span and 27m back span. The steel superstructures spans are gear-driven, hydraulically powered, and open at a 110° angle. The forward steel superstructure is supported by cable-stays anchored to steel pylons and a counterweighted back span.
A new 750m long road connects the bridge to the manufacturing innovation district, AMIDS, and will reduce congestion in Renfrew town centre, shortening journey times and improving journey reliability.
The scheme was led by the construction and civil engineering company, GRAHAM Group, with a robust project team including a joint venture of Hollandia Infra and Iemants, among others.
