Aconex  is to provide its web-based collaboration solution to the Samuel Beckett Bridge project in Dublin.

Aconex is an online platform for managing information that will be used to control the large volume of documents and correspondence that will be generated during construction, and will help to link international organisations working on the development.

John Flanagan, Dublin City Council Project Engineer, said: “A standard email system wouldn’t be sufficient to handle the volume of correspondence exchanged on the project or the size of documents we need to share. Aconex provides a central system to manage our information, where we can easily find and retrieve information.”

He added: “Samuel Beckett Bridge is a complex development with a dispersed project team – the architect has offices in Valencia and Zurich, the main contractors are based in Rotterdam and Belfast and we have consultants in London – so Aconex will help maintain communication between locations.”

When complete, the Samuel Beckett Bridge, situated near Macken Street in the Dublin Docklands, will span the maritime gateway to Dublin and will include four traffic lanes with cycle tracks and footpaths on either side of the bridge, while being capable of opening to accommodate maritime traffic.

The 120 meter landmark structure, designed by Santiago Calatrava Valls, has a unique curved profile, giving the appearance of a harp lying on its side.

The bridge is being constructed by Graham Hollandia Joint Venture and the total cost of the project, which also includes a major upgrade of the approach roads, is estimated at €47m. Onsite construction has commenced and it is estimated the project will be completed in late 2009.

Organisations working on the development will use Aconex to manage their drawings, documents and correspondence through one online platform, allowing them to view, distribute and track their files electronically at any time and from any location.

This increases productivity through allowing fast retrieval and distribution of data; reduces costs such as printing and postage; and mitigates risks such as information loss, disputes and delays.

Leigh Jasper, Aconex Managing Director, said: “Samuel Beckett Bridge will be a Dublin landmark so we are delighted to be supporting this development. Projects of this scale and complexity are increasingly using consultants and contractors from around the world, meaning project teams are becoming more dispersed.
 
Aconex is a web-based information management solution that enables participants to collaborate in real time, saving the time and cost of sending files between countries.”