White Cross Lane Overbridge Works Well Underway
White Cross Lane Bridge is a 5 span steel overbridge which crosses the Sheffield to Barnsley line. Set in a semi-rural location the bridge provides the only access to the small hamlet of Swaithe.
Built at the turn of the century the steel structure was showing signs of corrosion and a vehicle weight restriction was imposed whilst investigation works were underway. The steel structure was originally supported on timber piers, Network Rail appointed Arcadis to design a complete new bridge with Amco nominated to undertake the works as principal contractor.
Due to the rural location numerous negotiations had to be undertaken with a variety of different land owners prior to works commencing. The first task was to construct foundations for a temporary Bailey bridge which once installed gave access to the local residents to and from Swaithe. Traffic could then be diverted and the existing bridge dismantled.
The new bridge is now fully operational with the old structure being systematically dismantled in a number of 8 hour possessions. Installation of the new reinforced concrete bridge deck required the use of the largest 1200T crane in the UK as shown in the photo's above.
With only the temporary Bailey bridge to be removed works should be completed by October 2016.
