THAMES CROSSINGS LINE UP FOR RENEWAL

Skillful organisation was needed to refurbish three vital rail bridges over the River Thames in central London. Work on Grosvenor bridge leading to Victoria Station has been largely cosmetic and is nearly complete. The most important is the three composite structures of Charing Cross bridge where the major problem has been the organisation of the work, storage of materials and access. The original downstream bridge, known as Hungerford Bridge, and the middle bridge deck have become badly corroded. Rebuilding the bridges has taken place during a 20-week summer period with commuter traffic at its highest. The footbridge section was demolished and a temporary structure for pedestrians built on the upstream side. Two gantry cranes, one mounted at the north side, the other on the south bank, have been used to serve the full length of the bridge. Once cut out, the corroded girders are lowered through the bridge cavity to waiting barges moored below to piers in the non-navigational channels. Work on the navigation spans was restricted to low tide at night.