UK specialist to supply 210 rural bridges under $ 56 m project

Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd., this week signed a contact with the Ministry of Economic Development in Sri Lanka to provide up to 210 bridges in rural locations island-wide including the North and East.

The project, worth US$ 56 million, will be backed by the UK Government’s Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD).

The aims of the project are to improve the rural roads network and to link rural communities with mainstream economic development.

The bridges will help increase mobility for Sri Lanka’s rural population and enable them to enhance their standard of living.

The locations of the bridges will be prioritised and selected by Ministry officials on the basis of need, and following full consultation with rural community representatives.

British High Commissioner John Rankin said: “I am delighted to see the UK company, Cleveland Bridge, enter the market, in support of the Government of Sri Lanka’s plans for widespread infrastructure and rural community development. The UK Government is ‘putting its money where its mouth is’ and backing Sri Lankan economic development by guaranteeing funding for this project.”

Cleveland Bridge General Manager, Andy Hall said: “Cleveland Bridge UK looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka. Cleveland Bridge has been at the forefront of bridge technology for over 100 years. We are very happy to be able to offer our experience; technical expertise and high quality product to help link rural communities in Sri Lanka integrate with the rest of the country.”

Founded in 1877, in Darlington UK, Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd., fabricates and supplies bridges and structures across the globe, including the structural steelwork for civic buildings.

Historical and technical achievements include: Sydney Harbour Bridge with Dorman Long; Humber Bridge – the world’s longest suspension bridge; The Severn Bridge in Wales – the world’s first aerofoil suspension bridge; and Forth Road Bridge in Scotland – the first major suspension bridge outside the USA.

      

More recently, the company built seven of London’s Canary Wharf Towers, including the HSBC building, and was also awarded the structural steel package for the new Wembley National Stadium.

Cleveland Bridge UK offers a full turnkey package as a major contractor but also works in integrated group partnerships with external organisations.      

The UK Government’s Export Credit Guarantee Department is the UK’s official export credit agency. They work closely with exporters, project sponsors, banks and buyers to provide services such as insuring UK exporters against non-payment by overseas buyers. They also help overseas buyers to purchase goods and services from UK exporters by guaranteeing bank loans to finance these purchases.