Project outline

Murphy was appointed as Principal Contractor on the Erskine Bridge Pipeline Replacement project for SGN. The scope of works involved the replacement of the existing pipe crossing between Kilpatrick TRS and the Erskine Bridge Block Valve.

The works iinvovled:

  • 1km 457mm OD HDD crossing under the River Clyde and Forth and Clyde Canal
  • 85m 1500mm ID pipe jack crossing of the Network Rail North Clyde Line, dual track electrified railway line adjacent to Kilpatrick Railway Station with 457mm OD pipe laid within
  • 30m 457mm OD auger bored crossing of the 48” Water Main in Lusset Park
  • 2km was the total length of the pipeline
Project delivery

The 1km River Clyde Crossing was completed using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) techniques. The drill was launched from land to the rear of St.Patrick’s Curch.

The 85m crossing of the Network Rail North Clyde electrified railway line at Kilpatrick Railway Station was completed using micro tunnelling techniques. To mitigate the risk associated with the challenging mixed ground conditions, the pipe jack was completed using an Earth pressure Balance (EPM) slurry machine. The Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) was launched from a 8.5m diameter segmental concrete launch shaft, and received in a 5m diameter segmental concrete reception shaft. On completion of the shafts, the pipe was installed on completion of the tunnel.

Key challenges

The works were in close proximity to a World Heritage Site and multiple scheduled ancient monuments; major road and rail links; residential and commercial property; nesting bird sites; water / gas infrastructure; and bridge piers / piled foundations.

The ground conditions across the site were recognised as being challenging for the proposed construction techniques. The ground conditions for the HDD crossing were also recognised as being at the limit of what could be accommodated by HDD techniques (sand / gravels at entry location, boulder clay, silty clay along with potential pockets of gravel, cobbles and boulder beds throughout the section beneath the River Clyde with basalt rock at the exit location).

'One Murphy' approach
Our range of in-house specialist businesses delivered a number of aspects on this project, saving the client valuable time and money.

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