Transportation
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This project involved the reconstruction of rail bridges to provide the increased gauge clearance needed for the electrification of the railway. This includes demolition of existing bridges and installation of new, slimmer-profile bridges.
All works to each bridge are typically undertaken in one 54-hour possession. Murphy has undertaken over 110 demolition and reconstruction projects to date.
To reduce the risk to the railway and number of possessions were required, we made use of modular bridge reconstructions, off-site manufactured brick walls, parapets and wing walls. Regular design meetings, which often included key members of the supply chain, ensured that lessons learnt during the schemes can be applied throughout the project.
Programmes were arranged so alternate packages of work were either at design or construction phase, so any issues which were not carried over into the next package of design; this process has greatly reduced re-design at construction phase.
Our research and development teams toured Europe to identify innovative new construction methods, and worked with our design partners to develop Slim Deck Bridges. With these, we replaced the existing decks, which were made of wrought iron construction with high tensile steel I-Beams. This stronger material meant we could achieve the required gauge for clearance, whilst maintaining the road levels of the existing bridges. Murphy regularly used Self-Propelled Mobile Transporters (SPMT’s); which reduced the chance of overruns due to poor weather, and improved site access.
Murphy is a multi-disciplinary specialist in the transportation sector, working across rail, highways, aviation and ports to deliver sustainable solutions. From renewals to electrification, bridge building, highways and aviation, our award-winning team has extensive experience.