Temporary Bridge is a structure designed and installed for short-term use — typically months to a few years — to provide crossing during construction work, after a permanent structure has been damaged, or for events and emergencies. UK temporary bridges range from light pedestrian footbridges to military-grade heavy vehicle structures.
Types of temporary bridge
- Acrow panel bridges — modular steel through-truss bridges assembled from interlocking panels. Spans 9–60+ m. Standard for highway diversions and emergency replacements.
- Bailey bridges — military-origin modular truss system, similar to Acrow but with older design heritage.
- Modular flat-pack bridges — pre-fabricated steel girder or beam units. Faster to install but more limited spans (up to 30 m).
- Pedestrian and light vehicle bridges — light aluminium or steel structures for footways, cycle routes and farm access.
- Pontoon bridges — floating bridges for emergency use; rare in UK practice.
Common UK applications
- Construction diversions — maintaining road or footway traffic while permanent bridge replacement or major refurbishment takes place.
- Emergency replacement — restoring access after a permanent bridge has failed, often after flood damage.
- Major events — additional crossings at large public events.
- Heavy lift access — temporary heavy vehicle bridges providing site access for wind farm and infrastructure construction.
- Defence and humanitarian — military training exercises and emergency response operations.
Design loading and standards
UK temporary bridges on the public road network are designed to the same loading standards as permanent structures: BS EN 1991-2 Load Model 1 and abnormal indivisible load checks per CS 458. Acrow and similar modular systems have published load capacity charts allowing rapid sizing.
Related ViaCon solutions
ViaCon supplies Acrow modular temporary bridges and complete soil-steel solutions for short and long-term highway, rail and access applications. See our bridges and culverts solutions. Related glossary entries: road bridge, pipe arch and box culvert.
Frequently asked questions about temporary bridge
What is a temporary bridge?
A temporary bridge is a structure designed and installed for short-term use — typically months to a few years — to provide crossing during construction work, after a permanent structure has been damaged, or for events and emergencies.
How long does it take to install a temporary bridge?
Installation time depends on type and span. An Acrow panel bridge of 30 m can be assembled and launched in 5–10 days from a clean site. Light pedestrian bridges can be craned into place in a single day. Major heavy-vehicle structures over 60 m may take 3–6 weeks.
Are temporary bridges as strong as permanent ones?
Yes, when designed to UK public-road loading standards. Acrow and Bailey systems are designed to BS EN 1991-2 Load Model 1 with abnormal indivisible load capacity checked under CS 458.
When are temporary bridges used in the UK?
The five main UK uses are construction diversions, emergency replacement after flood damage, major events, heavy-lift access for wind farm and infrastructure projects, and defence and humanitarian operations.