Nothenorm Photographs
The Replacement of Goring Road Bridge Christmas 2006
20th December 2006 to 26th December 2006

Network Rail used the 2006 Christmas network closure to replace the road bridge at Goring. The demolition of the old bridge, which was installed circa 1905, commenced in the early hours of Christmas day.

A temporary footbridge had been installed previously, as had concrete pads in Wallingford Road to support the 500 tonne crane which was used.

Network Rail published details for the work as follows:

24 19:00 to 23:00 500 tonne crane mobilised
24/25-12 23:00 to 02:00 temporary lighting set up and track protection installed
25 02:00 to 17:00 Bridge beams cut, abutments partially demolished and track cleaned of debris.
25/26 17:00 to 01:00 Abutments prepared for impost units and impost units installed.
26 07:00 to 15:00 New bridge sections lifted in and bolted together.
26/27 Temporary lighting and equipment removed and line handed back to NR.
27 03:00 to 12:00 Crane is derigged.
27 07:30 to 19:00 Road reinstated and traffic management reinstated.
28 Wallingord Road reopened.

The new bridge however is not expected to be ready for use until February 2007. After sitting on the timber "battens", visible in the images, for a while. The new frame will be jacked up and lowered onto the new concrete cills. Channels have to be inserted for water, gas and electrical services and the frame filled with conrete. Then the different utilities will arrive, on different days of course, to install their bits. The road then has to be surfaced.

<-- Index | Showing 1-23 of 23 pictures | Index -->
01. A northbound Voyager passes beneath the
01. A northbound Voyager passes beneath the "old" bridge on 20-12-06
 02. The road surface had been removed by 20-12-06
02. The road surface had been removed by 20-12-06
 03. The 500 tonne crane 25-12 11:58
03. The 500 tonne crane 25-12 11:58
 04. The 500 tonne crane 25-12 12:05
04. The 500 tonne crane 25-12 12:05
05. The 500 tonne crane 25-12 12:08
05. The 500 tonne crane 25-12 12:08
 06. The crane jacks are supported by concrete pads previously cast in the road. Thames Water were on site on Christmas day in case of problems with a high pressure water main beneath the road. 26-12 08:26
06. The crane jacks are supported by concrete pads previously cast in the road. Thames Water were on site on Christmas day in case of problems with a high pressure water main beneath the road. 26-12 08:26
 07. The temporary footbridge 25-12
07. The temporary footbridge 25-12
 08. The South bank abutment after removal of the bridge. 25-12 12:06
08. The South bank abutment after removal of the bridge. 25-12 12:06
09. The North bank abutment after removal of the bridge. 25-12 12:06
09. The North bank abutment after removal of the bridge. 25-12 12:06
 10. The track cleanup commences. 25-12 12:25
10. The track cleanup commences. 25-12 12:25
 11. The final section of the old bridge is flame cut. 25-12 12:27
11. The final section of the old bridge is flame cut. 25-12 12:27
 12. The penultimate piece of the final bridge section is lifted through a cloud of fire extiguisher residue after cutting. The lorry reverses underneath. 25-12 12:41
12. The penultimate piece of the final bridge section is lifted through a cloud of fire extiguisher residue after cutting. The lorry reverses underneath. 25-12 12:41
13. The penultimate piece of the final bridge sections is lowered onto the lorry. 25-12 12:43
13. The penultimate piece of the final bridge sections is lowered onto the lorry. 25-12 12:43
 14. All nice and tidy in the cutting. 25-12 12:43
14. All nice and tidy in the cutting. 25-12 12:43
 15. The final piece leaves the ground. 25-12 12:53
15. The final piece leaves the ground. 25-12 12:53
 16. The final piece is swung towards the lorry. 25-12 12:55
16. The final piece is swung towards the lorry. 25-12 12:55
17. The new bridge sections were all lifted into poition ahead of schedule during the early hours of Boxing Day. 26-12 08:08
17. The new bridge sections were all lifted into poition ahead of schedule during the early hours of Boxing Day. 26-12 08:08
 18. The new parapets are apparently more for cosmetic reasons than technical requirement at this location. 26-12 08:17
18. The new parapets are apparently more for cosmetic reasons than technical requirement at this location. 26-12 08:17
 19. The existing weight restriction is to be retained, despite the new bridge being able to take 40 tons. 26-12 08:19.
19. The existing weight restriction is to be retained, despite the new bridge being able to take 40 tons. 26-12 08:19.
20. The edge of the new bridge section. North bank. 26-12 08:25
20. The edge of the new bridge section. North bank. 26-12 08:25
21. 26-12 08:26 The new bridge is to rest on timber supports for a while. It will be jacked up at a later date to be lowered onto the concrete cills.
21. 26-12 08:26 The new bridge is to rest on timber supports for a while. It will be jacked up at a later date to be lowered onto the concrete cills.
 22. 26-12 08:32 Some prefabricated holes don't quite line up.
22. 26-12 08:32 Some prefabricated holes don't quite line up.
 23. The South bank. 26-12 08:46
23. The South bank. 26-12 08:46
© 1998-2009 Steve - All copyrights rest with the Author
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