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Tuesday 10 Jun 2003

BROUGHAM STREET BRIDGE TO BE REBUILT

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Major work to rebuild Brougham Street Bridge over the railway line in Burnley at a cost of nearly £2m starts next week, as utility companies such as gas and water begin diverting their services. The work is being carried out by Galliford Rail Projects working for bridge owner Network Rail. Brougham Street Bridge is one of over 1,000 Network Rail owned public road bridges in the North West, all of which are subject to a national assessment programme known as ‘Bridgeguard 3’. The programme, which has been requested by central Government, is being carried out to prove the suitability of the bridges for carrying 40 tonne EU commercial road vehicles. The assessment process identified that the bridge was approaching the end of its useful life so a feasibility study was carried out to look at the options for extending its lifespan. Options included closing the bridge altogether, imposing a very low permanent weight restriction, strengthening the bridge or rebuilding completely. Discussions with the highway authority and county council discounted complete closure or a weight restriction because of the location of the road and its importance in the local road network. It was concluded that a single span bridge should replace the existing two-span structure. - more - Bridge – 2 The main items of work to be undertaken are: ·        Installation of a temporary pedestrian footbridge ·        Temporary diversion of services, including a medium pressure gas main. ·        Demolition of existing bridge ·        Construction of new bridge abutment ·        Construction of new bridge deck ·        Reinstatement of temporary service diversions ·        Road surfacing and finishing works The installation of the temp bridge and some service diversions will be carried out within localised traffic management lane closures.  Due to safety considerations and site constraints, diversion of the gas and water services will be carried out during a full closure of the road to vehicles.  Approximately nine weeks is required for these diversions in advance of the main work.  Pedestrian access will be maintained over the railway via the temporary footbridge. The form of the existing bridge means demolition and reconstruction cannot be done in two halves.  Therefore, this work will be carried out within the same full road closure.  Twelve weeks of road closure are required for the reconstruction of the bridge with a further three weeks for the final reinstatement of all diverted services. The full road closure will start on 21 July and last for a maximum of 25 weeks.  Whilst the road closure is required for safety and engineering reasons, it also has benefits in terms of the overall programme.  Greater flexibility of the workspace is possible, which leads to more efficient working practices, so reducing the programme for the works.  Every effort will be made to reduce the length of this significant but necessary closure.  A signed diversion route approved by the highway authority will be in force for the duration of the road closure. - more - Bridge – 3 Once complete the new bridge will safely carry all road vehicles currently permitted on the UK highway network.  In addition, road and rail safety will be enhanced by the provision of high containment parapets.  The low maintenance design and 120-year design life mean that the structure will carry the highway without the need for further disruption to road users for the foreseeable future.