Challenging project completed ahead of of time!
Spoleto is an ancient city in Umbria Italy. It is surrounded by hills and vineyards and is famous for its churches and Roman viaduct. The viaduct built in the 14th century to span a deep ravine The bridge called Ponte delle Torri (bridge of the towers) is the symbol of Spoleto and one of the city’s most panoramic points. It was actually an aqueduct, first built by the Romans then rebuilt (or expanded, according to some sources) in the 12th century. It spans the deep ravine and ensured a reliable water supply to Spoleto.
Connecting the hillside to the city’s high point, both ends have a fortress: the Rocca Albornoziana on the city side and the Fortilizia dei Mulini on the other. These two fortresses with battlements and towers gave the bridge its name. The Rocca is the highest point of Spoleto. The bridge is 230 meters long
(787 feet) and nearly 80 meters (262 feet) high. It has nine graceful arches. The top of the aqueduct has a walkway outline by a parapet and is open to foot traffic.
Underneath this walkway drinking water pipes were buried in the 1890’s to carry water from one side of the ravine to the other. Years of use resulted in heavy leakage that started to damage the viaduct. It was decided that the historic structure needed to be protected and the pipes relined. They are pressure pipes with 3-4 bar internally.
Using WPR, the expert relining company in Italy and ASOE hose lining. The pipes were cleaned, using pigging and then the hose lining was pulled in to place and sealed at each end with pressure couplings. The lining took a few hours and allowed the pipes to be completely sealed and the viaduct reopened to the public. Two lines of over 350m each in one pull. Traditional digging was not an option.
Thames Water attended the site with their Tier 1 contractor Cappagh Contractors Construction (London) in order to evaluate the project and they explore the opportunity to use this technology within the Thames Water area. They were pleased with the materials, installation techniques, the pressure testing and hand over. Dean Hansford , Trenchless Contracts Director for Cappagh said” Its been great to see the simple and efficient method of installation and the range of options that this product offers. We will defiantly be looking for opportunities to collaborate with ASOE in the UK with our current and future clients”.
Michele Libraro CEO at WPR commented that the project had been challenging but was completed a head of time. Deon Pohorille from NUFLOW and ASOE said this was another monumental project for ASOE and is looking forward to supporting Thames with their challenges and Cappagh with future installations in the UK.
