Repair & Preservation for Bridges, Viaducts and Footbridges

Repair early, protect value, avoid costly escalation

Even the best-designed structures are vulnerable to wear and deterioration when exposed to aggressive environments and unexpected events. Cracks, corrosion, impact or fire can all compromise safety and shorten a bridge’s useful life. Fast, appropriate, high-quality repairs, done with the right techniques, are critical to restore functionality, extend service life, and protect investment.

At VSL, we bring together structural engineering, durability engineering and field execution to offer durable repair solutions for all bridge types and materials. We help owners prevent escalation, reduce life-cycle costs, and improve resilience.

Our key repair and preservation solutions

VSL offers a wide range of repair and preservation solutions tailored to each bridge’s condition, structural system, and usage profile.

VSL performs durable and targeted repairs on damaged concrete elements, from surface restoration to full-depth recasting.

  • Structural concrete reinstatement
  • Jacketing for section enlargement, confinement or durability enhancement
  • Reinforcement restoration
  • Patching and reprofiling techniques
  • Crack injection and filling

Corrosion is one of the most common and costly bridge pathologies. VSL offers both preventive and corrective solutions.

  • Restoration of passivation layers and steel replacement where necessary
  • Surface cleaning and coating systems
  • Application of corrosion inhibitors or impregnation
  • Cathodic protection (impressed current or galvanic)

Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is a highly-durable material used by VSL to reinforce decks, slabs, and beams.

    • Excellent durability and resistance to cracking
    • Thin layer application to preserve dimensions and avoid additional weight
    • Strong bond to existing concrete
    • Increases structural capacity and service life
    • Ideal for bridge decks subject to chloride ingress or fatigue

  • Section replacement and reinforcement
  • Welding, rivetting and bolting works
  • Coating removal, repainting and corrosion protection
  • Jacking works

Fires can severely damage load-bearing elements and protective systems. VSL supports emergency response and long-term remediation.

  • Condition assessment post-fire (thermal gradients, delamination, material loss)
  • Concrete or steel element restoration
  • Application of passive fire protection systems (paints, boards, wraps)
  • Restoration of fire-damaged cables and protection by engineered, lightweight systems

  • Hydrodemolition for controlled concrete removal
  • Jacking & sliding for element repositioning
  • Shoring & underpinning to stabilize weakened elements
  • Masonry repairs and strengthening
  • Timber and other material repairs
  • Soil stabilization and grouting
  • Waterproofing systems for decks and joints
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Why choose VSL for Bridge Repair?

  • Multi-material expertise

    We repair concrete, steel, masonry, timber and composites, with the right method for each case.

  • Technical excellence

    Our in-house engineering teams support design, diagnosis and execution, even on complex assets.

  • Minimal disruption

    We work in live traffic conditions with tailor-made temporary works, lifting systems and safety-first access.

  • Long-term thinking

    Every solution we propose is built for durability, future inspection, and life-cycle cost control.

FAQ about bridge repair

These are some of the most common questions we receive about bridge repair. Got another one? Reach out to us!

Repair is recommended when deterioration is localized or structural integrity can be restored cost-effectively. Early intervention prevents damage escalation, extending the structure’s service life and avoiding the environmental and financial impact of full replacement.

VSL applies a wide range of proven methods, including concrete recasting, crack injection, cathodic protection, steel reinforcement restoration, and UHPFRC overlays, to restore strength and durability while keeping the bridge in service whenever possible.

Our teams use customized temporary works, synchronized jacking systems, and traffic management strategies to perform repairs safely and efficiently, often under live traffic or during short closures.

Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete offers exceptional strength, low permeability, and high fatigue resistance. It provides long-lasting protection against chloride ingress and cracking – ideal for bridge decks exposed to heavy traffic and harsh environments.

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Need to repair or protect your bridge? We’re here to help.

Talk to a VSL expert!