A one thousand tonne railway flyover has been installed as part of the Crossrail project in west London to accommodate services towards Heathrow.

The 120m long structure in Stockley, Hillingdon is the largest single span rail bridge to have been installed to the west of the capital since the days of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The new flyover will come into use next year for Heathrow Express services and carry trains over the Great Western Main Line.

Crossrail's surface director Matthew White 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.”

Main contractor Carillion used two jacks to launch the bridge with a force equivalent to that needed to lift 115 London taxis. A total of 20 moveable wheels and special Teflon sheets were also used to help the bridge launch.

Network Rail programme director Rob McIntosh added: “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.”

When the route to the west of London fully opens in 2019, Crossrail will improve links between Heathrow and the capital’s main commercial and financial districts including the West End, City and Canary Wharf.

(Photo: Crossrail)

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