Preliminary site work on the much delayed project has just started and engineers are preparing final drawings for the 17 000-tonne, painted steel structure, which will transport boats the 25 m between the two canals in only four minutes. Two boats will travel in two 35 m long, water-filled caissons mounted on a rotating arm that resembles a crank shaft. The whole contraption turns on a 3.5 m diameter axle, while a system of synchronised gears within the box-girder arm keeps the caissons upright.
Boats approaching the wheel from the higher Union Canal navigate an 80 m long concrete aqueduct, sailing directly on to the caisson. When they reach the lower level, they float into a large basin. The wheel can complete four lifts in an hour.
Beneath the wheel, a dry well allows the caissons to move without coming into contact with the water while deep slots allow the arms to rotate.
The Falkirk Wheel is the flagship of the Millennium Link Project, a canal restoration project that will once again allow boats to navigate the 68 miles between Scotland's east and west coasts.
The design was a joint venture by British Waterways, architect RMJM, Butterley Engineering and Arup. RMJM says the design is reminiscent of maritime objects but claims that it is partially inspired by Celtic imagery. The wheel is being built by joint-venture team Morrison-Bachy-Soletanche.
