27.05.14
Stockley flyover launched for Crossrail
A new rail bridge has been launched over the Great Western Main Line as part of works to ensure that the existing railway is ready for Crossrail trains to and from Heathrow.
The new flyover in Stockley, Hillingdon, will allow Crossrail and Heathrow Express services heading towards central London to join the Great Western Main Line without delaying, or being delayed, by other trains using the route.
Crossrail services between London Paddington and Heathrow will begin in 2018. From 2019, the full service will begin, allowing passengers to travel from Heathrow right through the centre of the capital without changing trains.
Matthew White, surface director at Crossrail, said: “Launching a thousand tonne bridge over the Great Western Main Line is quite a feat of engineering and one that I’m sure would have made Brunel proud.
“The new flyover at Stockley is an essential part of our works in west London, ensuring that the network has enough capacity to run frequent services to and from Heathrow. Crossrail will significantly improve transport links to the airport, bringing the West End, the City and Canary Wharf closer than ever before.”
The120m long flyover structure, which was installed by Network Rail and main contractor Carillion, is the largest single span rail bridge to have been installed anywhere to the west of London since the days of Brunel.
Rob McIntosh, Crossrail programme director, Network Rail said: “We used innovative methods as this was a complex and difficult operation. The system of sliding the bridge over the railway line allowed for controlled and safe installation with minimal interruption of rail services. That said, it took a lot of preparation ahead of time, and we monitored progress very carefully.”
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