A363 Bridge replacement Bradford-on-Avon

[DelW]

Allowing for OLE under the bridge is quite different from the parapets. I'd be very surprised if the under-deck clearance wasn't OLE-ready just from the location tbh as it's a flat deck.

I was really meaning a more general point, if the standards require allowing for future OHLE even on existing third rail lines, they would surely also allow for OHLE on all bridge replacements, both above and below deck level. It would be odd to specify the necessary clearance below the deck but not provide the appropriate parapet above deck level, especially as the part-concrete parapets would be awkward to retro-fit.

 

[edwin_m]

In this case the bridge clearance is defined by the depth of the cutting, which happens to be more than adequate for any future electrification. I'm not sure what would happen if the bridge to be replaced was somewhere with less clearance, and increasing it would involve much more cost and disruption.

 

[Snow1964]

A few newer photos, the bridge deck is now covered by a membrane, the sidewalls of abutments have been constructed of blocks in last few days. Also various duct / conduit pipes have been delivered presumably for utilities.

 

[Snow1964]

Some new photos 27th October 2023

Waterproofing of deck was done last weekend between rain, the abutments have been backfilled, and looks like utilities are starting to restore pipes and cables from temporary cable bridges to new deck.

 

[WesternBiker]

Is it clear where are the utilities going? Hopefully somewhere that means they can be accessed more easily, if they need to be, than having to dig up the newly restored road...

 

[swt_passenger]

Is it clear where are the utilities going? Hopefully somewhere that means they can be accessed more easily, if they need to be, than having to dig up the newly restored road...

The first photo clearly shows the gas main protective cover and yellow warning notices. I‘d expect that to be under the eventual footpath surface, but it’s hard to tell the final layout, ie whether they’ll have a footpath both sides or not. It was previously narrowed to allow only one lane of traffic with posts limiting the carriageway width on one side, have we ever seen a drawing of the intended final design?

 

[Snow1964]

Is it clear where are the utilities going? Hopefully somewhere that means they can be accessed more easily, if they need to be, than having to dig up the newly restored road...

Probably not going to make much difference, new pipes with no side connections to properties on the bridge. One hopes they shouldn't need digging up for decades.

Meanwhile latest residents email says will be working 8am - 4pm weekends and next week, then from 4th November will change to 24 hour working for few weeks whilst scaffold service bridges and crash deck are all removed. Final bridge surfacing currently planned for 29 Nov with bridge fully open on 30th Nov

 

[Ploughman]

Services will probably be laid at the standard depths and offsets as specified in the highway regulations.

 

[Snow1964]

A few new photos, the ones with mini excavator show road deck now being raised. The road holes for gas and electricity cable connections have now been backfilled. Looks like preparing to remove the temporary access and utilities route (scaffolding bridges either side) as various stone blocks for rebuilding the walls now seen to be used.


The first 4 photos were from a few days ago (from opposite end of bridge), whilst electricity cables were being installed.

Local residents newsletter suggests 24 hour working is starting next week, at a guess easier to remove the scaffold bridges at night when trains are few (line sees some overnight freight)

 

[Snow1964]

Some new photos Saturday 11th Nov

Bridge has kerbs for edge of road across it, looks like will be path both sides

The parapet walls used for access are being rebuilt, with mix of old and new stone

A lot of crash deck has been removed which shows clearance to new main girders. The scaffolding utility bridge on tunnel side has also been removed


Sunday 12th
More of the crash deck has now gone



Annoyingly auto merged 7 days later


Saturday 18th November update
Seems remainder of crash deck is being removed tonight based on email update

Bradford on Avon - Work update - 17 November​

Good morning, This is a reminder about the work we'll be carrying out this weekend where we are using a crane to remove materials from the site. The work will start at 11 pm on Saturday, November 18 and finish at around 6am on Sunday morning. Please note that we will not require access to or over any residential properties while we carry out this task. Parking Parking along the A363 St Margaret's Road Overbridge will be suspended from today, Friday, November 17, until Sunday, November 19th. This is because we'll be using a crane overnight which will require the full width of the road to access the site.

 

[Annetts key]

Thanks for the update

 

[Snow1964]

A few new photos from this weekend.

Walls at each end of parapet are under construction, appears BT cables are still on scaffold bridge (gas, water and electricity has been done)

Removed most of the crash deck, but seem to have left two beams now slid towards the centre at an angle (no idea why last 2 were not removed)

 

[edwin_m]

Removed most of the crash deck, but seem to have left two beams now slid towards the centre at an angle (no idea why last 2 were not removed)

I'd guess these beams were originally in the middle - they would have had to slide each one in turn out to the side before they could lift it. My guess is that they ran out of time and this work doesn't stop anything else happening with the bridge itself, only the dismantling of the crash deck supports, so they will finish it when the possession and resources are next available.

 

[Snow1964]

The crash deck has now been removed

Also including photo of the decorative stonework (very impressive) where walls are being rebuilt. Looks like BT cable works continuing

And for fun, the Christmas tree at Bradford on Avon station

 

[Annetts key]

 

[Snow1964]

Update email Tuesday afternoon 28 Nov

Good afternoon, We wanted to provide you with an update regarding the renewal work on the railway bridge in Bradford on Avon. Unfortunately, we must inform you that we will not be able to open the road here at the end of this month as previously planned. Instead, the road will now open on Monday 18 December. The road was scheduled to open at the end of this month after we had switched to 24-hour working in early November with the aim of finishing the project as swiftly as possible. However, there are still several tasks that need to be completed, including a vital utility service reconnection. We're sorry for any further inconvenience this may cause you but also want to thank you for your ongoing patience as we replace the bridge here. What work is left to do? Utility service reinstatement Road surfacing and painting of lines Wall rebuilding Will the road be fully open on Monday 18 December? Starting from Monday, 18 December, temporary traffic management will be in place to allow traffic over the bridge while a section of the road is closed to allow Openreach to safely finish the reinstatement of cables. This plan has been put in place so vehicles can travel along the road. Buses will still not be able to move through the road and will be diverted via Frome Road. During this time, parking restrictions will be in place on both sides of the bridge. The pavement across the bridge and the access to St Margaret's Place will also be open from Monday 18 December.

We understand that this news may not be ideal and we're sorry for any inconvenience that the delayed work may cause you. We'll keep you updated on our progress each week, but if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us using the details below.

 

[snowball]

There's a press release about it:

Network Rail thanks residents and motorists as replaced Bradford-on-Avon railway bridge is almost ready to reopen to traffic

A long-running £5.6m project to to replace an important bridge over the railway on St Margaret’s Street in Bradford-on-Avon is into its final stages and the road will reopen on Monday 18 December.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

The road was scheduled to open at the end of this month after the team switched to 24-hour working in early November with the aim of finishing the project as swiftly as possible. However, there are still several tasks that need to be completed, including a vital utility service reconnection.

The bridge, located to the east of Bradford-on-Avon railway station, is being replaced because of its deteriorating condition, which meant that it was not cost-effective to repair.

The work faced a number of delays earlier this year due to periods of industrial action, poor weather, and the lack of availability of specialist contractors to divert utilities from the bridge.

In the next two weeks, teams will be working to rebuild the bridge walls and complete the necessary tasks to reopen the road.

Starting from Monday, 18 December, temporary traffic management will be in place to allow traffic over the bridge while a section of the road is closed to allow Openreach to safely finish the reinstatement of cables. During this time, parking restrictions will be in place on both sides of the bridge.

 

[InOban]

Looks as if Openreach will turn up when it suits them, not NR. Often the same with the electricity networks.

 

[Annetts key]

There's a press release about it:

Network Rail thanks residents and motorists as replaced Bradford-on-Avon railway bridge is almost ready to reopen to traffic

A long-running £5.6m project to to replace an important bridge over the railway on St Margaret’s Street in Bradford-on-Avon is into its final stages and the road will reopen on Monday 18 December.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Some may say that is more a list of excuses…

 

[Snow1964]

Some new pictures Sunday 3rd December.

Appears to still be a cable duct to the scaffold bridge and therefore still got gaps in walls where it is stopping them rebuilding, but looks like ready to put in remaining kerb stones and then surface road and footpaths. Looks like a streetlight pole has also be added.

This area (as in surrounding streets) are now being dug up for fibre optic (high speed broadband) cable ducts, but can't see any evidence of their colour ducts being laid across the bridge to avoid them having to dig it all up again in few months when they reach this point.

 

[zwk500]

I hope there is a public session on the 'lessons learned' from this project.

 

[WesternBiker]

Some new pictures Sunday 3rd December.

Appears to still be a cable duct to the scaffold bridge and therefore still got gaps in walls where it is stopping them rebuilding, but looks like ready to put in remaining kerb stones and then surface road and footpaths. Looks like a streetlight pole has also be added.

This area (as in surrounding streets) are now being dug up for fibre optic (high speed broadband) cable ducts, but can't see any evidence of their colour ducts being laid across the bridge to avoid them having to dig it all up again in few months when they reach this point.

View attachment 147700View attachment 147701View attachment 147702View attachment 147703View attachment 147704View attachment 147705View attachment 147706View attachment 147707

Great photos as ever - you've given us a great photo record of what should have been a relatively straightforward project...

I really, really hope they don't have to dig up the road again to lay fibre optic cables once it is all finished. But I'm not holding my breath...

 

[Snow1964]

They have dug out whole road surface further away from bridge (where all the utility connections were done) and joined up the kerbs. Looks almost ready for road surfacing.

Still big gap in side walls where the temporary BT cable is still going on scaffold cable bridge

 

[WesternBiker]

Great to see progress...

I'm intrigued by the blind doorway in the wall, just to the right centre in your first photograph. It looks as though there was a nice round arch, cut through by a later flat lintel. Any idea what it was for, where it went?

 

[Snow1964]

Great to see progress...

I'm intrigued by the blind doorway in the wall, just to the right centre in your first photograph. It looks as though there was a nice round arch, cut through by a later flat lintel. Any idea what it was for, where it went?

That house was for many years was a doctors, it is now a vets. They only use the entrance other side (Frome Road) where what was obviously a garden at one time is now a car park

Bradford on Avon is full of footpaths, and that archway is opposite a path to cottages at St Margaret's Hill. Don't know if it was ever open to the public, or just an entrance to side of house when it was a private garden.

Couple of new photos Monday 11 Dec, from other end of new bridge

 

[Annetts key]

That cone looks lonely…

 

[edwin_m]

That cone looks lonely…

It's a lone cone, a cone on its own.

Appears to be covering a raised utility access of some sort, which will ultimately be flush with the road but currently is a tripping hazard for people and liable to damage if some plan goes over it.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks to all photo contributors who’ve covered this build, but it raised a question.

I was wondering if anyone knows why a bridge built in this way apparently does not include expansion joints? How do they deal with any differential movement between the steel girders and the eventual road surface, which appears as if it will be a continuous tarmac road surface when it’s finished?

 

[Snow1964]

I was wondering if anyone knows why a bridge built in this way apparently does not include expansion joints? How do they deal with any differential movement between the steel girders and the eventual road surface, which appears as if it will be a continuous tarmac road surface when it’s finished?

The steel girders had what looked like rows of bolts on top (sorry forget their name) which are embedded in deck concrete slab.

The road surface is not flat, road is on a slight hill. There is the a layer of stone between the two (the brown layer), which isn't the local stone, Oolitic limestone (Bath stone), or nearby Mendip stone, both of which are a creamy colour. With the brown stuff, when you watch the layers being compacted with a vibrator it appears to compress down like it is slightly spongy, presumably this allows for some movement.

If you look at the latest photos will see see the footpaths will be almost upto the metal parapets, with Road surface about 10cm below. If you look back at those from few weeks ago will see the metal parapets are about half meter above concrete deck height so must be about 30cm of fill above the bridge below the tarmac layer. It is not a shallow deck to avoid road being on a hump.

 

[WesternBiker]

That house was for many years was a doctors, it is now a vets. They only use the entrance other side (Frome Road) where what was obviously a garden at one time is now a car park

Bradford on Avon is full of footpaths, and that archway is opposite a path to cottages at St Margaret's Hill. Don't know if it was ever open to the public, or just an entrance to side of house when it was a private garden.

Couple of View attachment 148251View attachment 148252new photos Monday 11 Dec, from other end of new bridge

Thank you for the explanation (I may take a look when I'm next there) and thanks again for the fascinating photos!