The New Forth Road Crossing is a high profile project consisting of a 2.7Km long three tower cable-stayed bridge which will be the longest bridge of its type in the world. Not only is the construction site extensive, covering both sides of the estuary as well as offshore towers and vessels, the marine environment poses additional requirements on the communications solution. Construction sites on both banks of the estuary need to be connected to the offshore towers as well as construction ships and other vessels with communications engineers having to provide services both on and off shore at any time of day or night.
The construction consortium Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) chose Westica Communications to design, build and maintain these vital communication links. Using a range of different wireless technologies, Westica deployed a complex system of high speed radio links connected to radio access points and mobile terminals to give the required service, which over the last two and a half years has enabled the bridge to be progressed to a successful completion.
The New Forth Road Bridge
In Summary, Westica had to provide:-
• Links across a 2.7km wide estuary
• Design for high reliability over water paths
• Installation of wireless antennas on 210metre high towers
• Mobile data terminals on vessels to enable ship to shore data communications
• Network management and monitoring system
• On-site maintenance and support
• Trouble ticketing system and helpdesk
