Bogged down Bridge on GWML - Bristol

[mwmbwls]

Heavy bridge slide stalls as transporters sink into mud

Alun Griffiths halts 4,260t railway bridge installation near Bristol

www.constructionenquirer.com

Construction Enquirer reports problems with the replacement of Gipsy Patch Lane Bridge:

"Contractor Alun Griffiths was edging the 4,260t replacement bridge into place when the two Osprey self-propelled transporters sank into the mud 30m short of their final position.

The contractor is now racing against time to solve the problem so it can reinstate rail journeys from Bristol to Wales which were disrupted when the original Gipsy Patch Lane rail bridge was demolished to make way for the weekend bridge replacement.

Two dozers were drafted in to try to shunt the transporters forward but these are understood to have failed to budge it.

Network Rail had said prior to the weekend it was due to reopen next Saturday, but the disruption is now expected to continue for longer than originally anticipated.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “Despite detailed planning and preparation, our contractor, Network Rail, has encountered a significant issue moving the new 4,260-tonne Gipsy Patch Lane bridge into place.The bridge, which is already built, is being moved into position on a number of independent hydraulic transporters. Having successfully moved two-thirds of the way into place the bridge transporters are now stuck.Our focus, alongside Network Rail, is on resolving the issue so that the bridge can be moved into position. This is likely to take a number of days and will delay the reopening of the mainline.”

This is the first report I have read of such difficulties? Has this happened before?

 

[swt_passenger]

Normally these sort of transporters seem to be operated on a very well prepared temporary surface, often with steel plates on the running surface. I’d not heard of any massive failure due to sinking before, I’m sure it’s the sort of thing that would be highlighted by the normal media.

There was a local BBC report yesterday that referred to the transporters as “lorries” in the headline...

Lorries moving new railway bridge stuck in mud

Rail disruption is likely as the installation of the bridge near Bristol is delayed.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[30907]

I have vague recollections of bridge replacement jobs being "paused" but not due to mud. It was rather wet this past weekend...

 

[Dr Hoo]

Of course the original construction of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway kept sinking into Chat Moss for months so it isn't exactly a new problem. (No multi-wheel transporter platforms in those days, just navvies carrying bundles of brushwood.)

 

[Horizon22]

Attempts are being made to lower the bridge where it currently is after the transporter sank. This means that they are trying to create a tarmac runway for the bridge to be supported on in the interim and then slowly reload it back onto the transporters. However even if this is successful, it wouldn't be until Monday that the bridge is in place, with another week after that until the line reopens.

The attempt to dig out the earth around the transporter wasn't successful, so it must have been very wet indeed.

 

[Ashley Hill]

This would make Paddington 24/7 more interesting. I believe they've finished filming unfortunately.

 

[Mintona]

This would make Paddington 24/7 more interesting. I believe they've finished filming unfortunately.

Somebody was definitely filming on Wednesday evening at Paddington. I deliberately tried to walk across the shot at a distance

 

[Horizon22]

This would make Paddington 24/7 more interesting. I believe they've finished filming unfortunately.

They haven't finished not for some time.

 

[mwmbwls]

Five wagons and a dozer free 4,260t bridge from the mud

Alun Griffiths drags concrete replacement railway bridge onto firm ground

www.constructionenquirer.com

Five ballasted heavy haulage vehicles and a dozer managed to drag the bridge carried on six transporters onto firmer ground yesterday.

The concrete bridge got stuck when its was being moved into position following the demolition of the original Gipsy Patch Lane rail bridge.

The Network Rail replacement project was due to be completed this weekend but is now set to overrun by several days disrupting rail services.

Job done - well done lads

 

[Ploughman]

Looks like the potential for a decent bit of publicity for Allely's

 

[JN114]

This would make Paddington 24/7 more interesting. I believe they've finished filming unfortunately.

Our embedded film guy is still on the office

 

[swt_passenger]

If the overall support of the concrete structure has been seriously out of spec, could it be damaged or distorted?

 

[Hellzapoppin]

Five wagons and a dozer free 4,260t bridge from the mud

Alun Griffiths drags concrete replacement railway bridge onto firm ground

www.constructionenquirer.com

Job done - well done lads

Not quite.

 

[1955LR]

It will be interesting to see how long it will take for it to be actually positioned correctly.

 

[ChrisHogan]

It will be interesting to see how long it will take for it to be actually positioned correctly.

NRES now quoting Sunday 15th November as the earliest date for completion.

 

[father_jack]

Uncorroborated local reports are saying there is slight damage to the bridge.

 

[Horizon22]

The moves to get the bridge in position should all be completed by Sunday evening. South Wales services are diverted via Gloucester today and terminate at Bristol Parkway tomorrow with buses to Newport.

 

[MackemPacer]

Five wagons and a dozer free 4,260t bridge from the mud

Alun Griffiths drags concrete replacement railway bridge onto firm ground

www.constructionenquirer.com

Job done - well done lads

For a trade publication, it's rather poor for such an in-accurate description used to described the image in the above post:

"Five fully-laden quarry wagons and a dozer managed to drag the bridge carried on six transporters onto firmer ground yesterday."

Strangest looking tippers I've ever seen. Although I must admit a rather nice lash-up of Alley's tractor units.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

No such thing as problems - only solutions.

 

[Horizon22]

The possession has apparently been extended to Monday 23rd November.

 

[QueensCurve]

Five wagons and a dozer free 4,260t bridge from the mud

Alun Griffiths drags concrete replacement railway bridge onto firm ground

www.constructionenquirer.com

Job done - well done lads

Given the heavy rain which preceded the incident, even the supertalented weirdos and superforecasters of Downing St should have foreseen the need for a harder surface for the bridge move. To continue without was, in my view, rather negligent.

 

[talltim]

They hitched it up with up with a bit of a fuss
To tractors, cars and the village bus

 

[Horizon22]

The bridge is now in position and the track and OLE are currently in the process of being installed. Earlier Monday morning is when the line is expected to reopen.

 

[Taunton]

I've long known this bridge; it was a significant congestion point for road traffic even in the 1960s, when local housebuilding to the east and the two major aircraft works to the west were in full development. Very poor that it's taken another 50 years to install a replacement, which seems about 4 times the width. Very concerning to be a pedestrian going through.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[oglord]

Very concerning to be a pedestrian going through.

There is still this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.514...kKKU-lAw!2e0!5s20190701T000000!7i16384!8i8192

 

[30907]

There is still this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.514...kKKU-lAw!2e0!5s20190701T000000!7i16384!8i8192

Interestingly, my Googlemaps shows temporary traffic lights and barriers permitting a wider footpath - Covid?

 

[oglord]

Interestingly, my Googlemaps shows temporary traffic lights and barriers permitting a wider footpath - Covid?

Indeed. Just shows how ridiculously narrow it is usually.

 

[Skie]

Acres of room under that bridge!

2 bits in Merseyrail land: By Old Roan station

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Just a bit further down the same stretch

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Ploughman]

Not the first near the Old Roan.
Recall in the early 60's when I lived near there, that a top deck was ripped off and ended up on the car behind.

 

[alangla]

O/T, but looks like it’s not just NR that have problems with bridges on transporters. This looks expensive https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-55046885 - link is a BBC News story on a bridge on a transporter that overturned