Rail Overbridge Replacement in Stratford, London, UK

摘要

The replacement of a rail overbridge in Stratford, East London, UK was undertaken in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Improvements to the rail infrastructure to implement the transport strategy for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games necessitated the demolition and replacement of an existing highway bridge with substandard headroom over the railway. The task was made considerably more challenging by the presence of multiple site constraints; including tunnels for both high-speed and local rail services, a significant number of utilities, a drive to improve headroom and a critical deadline. Finding a deliverable solution in spite of these constraints required considerable engineering problem solving. The eventual solution resulted in some unusual retaining wall designs and relied on extensive use of lightweight fill, careful consideration of phasing for the works and close liaison with various stakeholders. This paper discusses the constraints on the bridge and associated retaining walls and how these were addressed. Consideration is given to the various issues and challenges involved in delivering a cost-effective solution. Construction of the bridge and its associated structures was completed in summer 2010.