© B2 ArchiveChannel Crossing Proposed
Channel Crossing Proposed
The Bridge
In 1981 Bill Brown presented a proposed 30km Link into Europe: a planned crossing of the English Channel with 12 suspended spans each 2,500m long. Bill and his colleagues at Freeman Fox had been developing a new deck design able to withstand the long spans required for this vast crossing. Although the tunnel was constructed and opened in 1994, the bridge was presented as a feasible option. The deck would carry six lanes of traffic and a central rail line.
Bill revisited this design between 1996 and 1998 and incorporated his multi-box deck designs and wind deflectors in a new proposal. He also designed new pier protection for the 310m-high towers that would be sited in the Channel.
Proposed Channel Crossing
Multi-span suspension bridge design proposals across the Strait of Dover
Key Facts
30km multi span
12 suspension bridges of 2,500m each
1981 and 1998 proposals
Location
Across the English Channel
From Folkestone to Sangatte
Spanning the Strait of Dover
1981 Design and Engineering
Dr William (Bill) Brown
and Sir Gilbert Roberts
Freeman Fox & Partners
A patented vented-deck design
1998 Design and Engineering
Proposal by Brown Beech (B2)
Featured Dr Bill Brown’s unique multi-box deck design
310m-high towers
Innovative pier protection
Other long-span bridges
