GOING, going... and back again! As engineering challenges go, it was a doozy.
Scarborough Bridge had stood for 140 years. Yet Network Rail engineers only plan to take nine days to strip all the decks away, then hoist new decks, rail track and a walkway into place. This is quite a challenge, Network Rail route managing director Phil Verster admits.
“The bridge spans the River Ouse and is in the middle of a residential area with narrow streets as well as being close to several important rail lines.”
The new decks are being hoisted into place using a large crawler crane based in Marygate car park: a sight that made more than a few heads turn.
While work on the £6 million project has been underway, York to Scarborough trains have had to be replaced by express coaches. The footpath across the bridge has also had to be closed.
Bridge engineers have been working round the clock to try to get the work finished promptly so as to minimise disruption, however.
Mr Verster said: “Hopefully, many parts of the bridge will not need any further work for decades.”
Picture: Steve Whitehead
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