Falkirk Wheel

Scotland, UK

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As the structural designer of the Falkirk Wheel, Tony Gee was able to contribute to a unique project and the world’s first rotating boatlift, representing a unique replacement of a 19th century flight of locks.

Working closely with other members of the project team, Tony Gee helped develop a radical solution that not only worked very efficiently, enabling boats to be lifted over the 25 m height difference between the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals, but also satisfied the client’s desire for a landmark 21st century moving sculpture. The completed wheel remains faithful to this concept and has become one of Scotland’s most successful tourist attractions, and a symbol of the urban regeneration it is intended to stimulate.

PROJECT DETAILS

Synopsis	Structural steelwork design and in principle verification of whole scheme
Contractor	Butterley Engineering
End Client	British Waterways
Sectors and Services	Marine Permanent works design More projects
Awards	Structural Steel Design Awards 2002, ICE Brunel Medal 2002, Civic Trust Award, Saltire Society Award 2005, FIDIC Major Civil Engineering Project of the Last 100 Years 2013