Stade de France

SPV Special Projects recently completed the installation of 2,500 square metres of Road Carpet Walkway system to the bridge leading to the Stade de France, Paris.

The Green surface was specially manufactured to cope with excessive foot traffic and to allow for expansion of the bridge, not only for weather conditions but for point loads (there could be up to 3000 people walking on the bridge at any one time). It was specified as the ideal surfacing material for this extremely large, very busy access ramp leading towards the stadium due to its non-slip, durable, waterproof and aesthetically pleasing finish.

The existing epoxy coating to the bridge was cracking and flaking, becoming detached in certain areas and was stuck solid in others. Due to the cracking and flaking water was becoming trapped in between the bridge deck and the coating causing the bridge deck to rust.


The French contractor initially considered for the project wanted to sand blast the bridge which would have meant closing the bridge off completely and causing huge blooms of dust and debris to be released into the environment – naturally this was not a very popular or practicable solution and as this is the only means of access from the metro station it was not a viable option.

Due to difficulties in obtaining the correct equipment in France, the plant machinery required was either provided from within the Consortium or hired from within the UK and transported to France by SPV Plant division.

We not only had to remove the failed epoxy coating but we also had to remove the flaking metal from the top surface of the deck down to a bare metal finish. This allowed the new system to have a 100% bond. After much deliberation the decision was made to use a planer. It not only removed the epoxy coating but also the flakes down to bare metal with minimum dust and disruption and could be done in sections.

The material was then laid in three stages with only small sections of the bridge being closed off at any one time, which meant that the busy access way could remain in operation throughout the contract.

The new road carpet system was laid in a proven sequence, firstly the bridge deck was swept clean of any dust, all flaking particles removed back to the bare metal. The deck was then coated with a high bond primer. A self adhesive underlay was laid and butt jointed to the prepared primed surface. The road carpet material was then laid over the underlay butt jointed to give a flat and level surface.

As the contracting team was from the UK it was important that their welfare was considered at all times. A local hotel was chosen due to its location to the Stade de France and its cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. However, in order to provide for more traditional staples a welfare van with six seats, a table, boiler microwave and fridge enabled them to have snacks and drinks when and however they wanted. It also provided a toilet and washing facilities for on the job convenience.

The contract was carried out over a period of four weeks with the work crew being flown home for weekends. The benefit of this being the busy access way remained open, the work crew were happy working so far from home and the bridge remained operational throughout the contract which was completed on time and within budget.

Since the completion of the Stade de France project SPV Special Projects has been approached to look at two other bridges in the local area. One a metal turntable bridge for vehicular traffic over a canal, the other being a wooden slated bridge which leads to a nearby train station.