A NEW 117-tonne bridge to carry the Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach line across the New Pill Stream south of Avonmouth has been installed by Network Rail and contractor Carillion in an £800,000 project completed in just eight hours.

Constructed in advance and largely off site, the 14 metre-long steel and concrete composite bridge deck had its walkway, hand railings and ballast formation pre-assembled.

Then a 1,000 tonne crane removed the 109-year-old wrought iron and steel girder structure and slotted the new deck into place from a height of 26 metres.

Network Rail said good weather conditions had played their part, enabling closure time of the line to be reduced by 75 per cent.

Network Rail route director Dave Ward said: “The project went really well, delivering reliable new infrastructure designed to last for 120 years and bringing the railway back into use within one day – right on schedule.

“Design of the Pill Bridge, with its short structural span and single track, gave us an ideal opportunity to trial our new delivery method.”

The ironwork of the original bridge, built in 1899, had been repaired 30 years ago, but recent detailed examination had revealed areas of significant corrosion, and fractures and open joints within its abutments, wing walls and pilasters, requiring complete renewal.