Black Bridge, Machynlleth

[Ianmel1969]

Anybody know if the bridge improvements are going to plan? On holiday in the area just after the planned finished date.

 

[snowball]

There's this press release from 11 June:

Innovative bridge raising scheme continues - despite extreme weather

Network Rail engineers are working through extreme weather to raise Black Bridge, near Machynlleth, by one metre to lift it out of the flood zone.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail engineers are working through extreme weather to raise Black Bridge, near Machynlleth, by one metre to lift it out of the flood zone.

The £3.6m project – a railway first – will protect the bridge from high river levels and significantly reduce disruption for passengers.

Heavy rain at the end of May has caused the river levels to rise, hitting the closure mark of the bridge and demonstrating why the work to lift the bridge is so important. Despite this setback, work is progressing well.

The bridge deck has been lifted and secured into its temporary position. It will be held there until it is lowered on to its newly constructed bearings next week, which will be one metre higher and out of the flood zone.

Kevin Giles, senior asset engineer for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said:

“The flooding we have seen at Black Bridge during our work shows exactly why raising the bridge is so important.

“We are putting passengers first by making the railway more resilient and reliable.”

The bridge is repeatedly flooded during periods of heavy rainfall, causing regular closures and disruption to passengers on the Machynlleth to Shrewsbury route.

The railway will be closed until 28 June so that the work to raise the bridge and reprofile the track can be carried out safely.

Transport for Wales are providing rail replacement services between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury. Please check the latest Government guidance before travelling.

The bridge goes over the River Dulas in Powys, which is a fish spawning river. This means there is a limited time period when Network Rail can carry out the resilience work. Network Rail is working in collaboration with Natural Resources Wales and ecological specialists, doing everything possible to protect the sensitive local environment.

You may be aware that some consequences of the closure have been discussed in another thread:

Two carriages delivered to Barmouth by road

Local media are reporting that two carriages were delivered to Barmouth by road yesterday (June 9). From the (small) photos it looks to be a 158. Is this connected to the work on Barmouth Bridge...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[snowball]

Line reopened today according to this press release with video:

Rising to the challenge: Bridge successfully lifted out of flood zone in Wales railway first

Following 30 flood closures in the last decade, this innovative £3.6m project will reduce disruption and improve passengers’ journeys on the Cambrian Line

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Rising to the challenge: Bridge successfully lifted out of flood zone in Wales railway first​

Following 30 flood closures in the last decade, this innovative £3.6m project will reduce disruption and improve passengers’ journeys on the Cambrian Line

For the first time ever, a railway bridge in Wales has been raised away from rising river waters to prevent flooding on the track.

Black Bridge, on the Cambrian Line, near Machynlleth, now stands one metre taller than before, after Network Rail engineers and contractors AmcoGiffen worked day and night to lift it away from a river flood zone.

This resilience project will improve passenger journeys and secure the future of this vital transport link between Mid Wales and the rest of the UK.

The bridge has been closed 30 times in the last decade, and ten times in 2020 alone, for emergency repairs caused by flood water.

A total of 360 engineers clocked up more than 32,000 hours to deliver this innovative project, in just six weeks, with the line reopening on June 28 2021.