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WATCH: The Precinct bridge being demolished in fifty seconds

26 Oct 2017

The demolition of the University Precinct bridge during August has been condensed into a 50-second time lapse video which staff can see today for the first time

Although the preparatory and clean-up work required the closure of Oxford Road for almost a month, the actual demolition took 16.5 hours, carried out by three large concrete pulverisers.

The fascinating footage captured by a time lapse camera positioned on the Kilburn Building also captures the torrential downpour at the start of the demolition weekend despite otherwise fair weather throughout the four-week programme. The team, who can be seen posing briefly for a post-demolition celebratory photograph in the video, were under the added pressure of being filmed by a television crew for a series on challenging demolitions.

The demolition of the 46-year-old bridge has been carried out to make way for the development of the Alliance Manchester Business School overseen by the Directorate of Estates and Facilities.

Interesting facts:

  • Actual time taken to demolish bridge was 16.5 hours
  •  Over 2200 tonne of waste generated
  • 99% of waste diverted from landfill
  • 97% waste recycle or reused
  • 19 sub-contractors involved in bridge demolition project
  • Over 250 workers involved in bridge demolition project
  • Over 15,000 hours worked with zero accidents
  • Over 14,000 bricks laid to repair Crawford House façade