Transportation
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Murphy was contracted to undertake the replacement of railway bridge FHR5/16 which spans the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. We constructed an early steel, riveted plate girder bridge with a 120-year design life solution.
The FHR5-16 bridge renewal presented the project team with significant construction challenges. The project was to be delivered within a limited blockade to reduce the impact on the local community and nestle in inaccessible terrain and contaminated environment. Sites of this complexity and limited accessibility are rarely seen on the network so there was a need to develop an innovative design and construction solution closely linked and led by temporary works.
The team had to contend with horrendous weather conditions caused by Storm Dennis and lost 29hr of productivity in the process due to high winds. However, the site team successfully managed to complete the works within the 9 day blockade and handed back the completed bridge to trains ahead of time.
Due to lack of access and considerable logistical challenges the team adopted an innovative approach to deliver the scheme by using two Rail mounted Kirow Cranes to firstly remove the existing structure and install the new concrete/steel bridge.
Our design approach led to a successful project which was awarded a certificate of commendation (Constructability Award) from ICE North West Civil Engineering Awards.
