Construction
20 May 05
Launching starts on Paddington Bridge project
A crucial stage of the UK's Paddington Bridge project is under way, with a section of the replacement bridge being launched into place across railway tracks in west London.
This stage of the project involves use of a system of pulling and restraining strand-jacks to manoeuvre a 2,000t section of bridge across the railway, until it reaches the new pier 32m away.
The bridge will be launched through the full 32m in a series of planned track closures at night. Following each stage, the bridge is secured so that trains can operate as usual during the day.
This solution is a key feature of the Paddington Bridge project. The section of new bridge which will span the railway is being built at the side of the rail tracks and launched into place once completed.
This is the first of two launches; because space on site is so restricted, only after the first launching operation has taken place will there be enough room to build the final section of new bridge, which will then be launched into place in September 2005.
Main contractor is Hochtief, and specialist subcontractor for the steelwork, temporary works and launching operation is Cleveland Bridge/Dorman Long. The scheme aims to provide better access to the station and relieve traffic on local residential streets.
Once the new bridge is in place, the old rail bridge, which is currently supported 10m above its original position, will be lowered onto the new structure, rolled away and dismantled.
