Bridge work is forging ahead
Kerse Road update
Network Rail say the ‘below ground work’ on the £6 million Kerse Road bridge reconstruction has been completed.
Work is now underway on laying foundations for the bridge and building its abutments, the company explained in their latest update on the work’s progress.
Network Rail is replacing the Stirling Council-owned bridge – erected around 1968 – as part of the electrification of the Stirling area rail network.
Kerse Road was reduced to one lane in January as preparatory work on the 12-month bridge replacement project got underway.
Full closure of Kerse Road was implemented on April 16 and the route will be shut until October 31 when it is due to reopen to two-way traffic.
Demolition of the bridge took place in April and since then work to prepare the ground for the new structure has continued.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Over the course of the two demolition weekends, 100 members of staff and contractors clocked up more than 2,000 man hours to remove 10,000 tonnes of material from site.
“Since the demolition of the old structure, the team on site has been working hard and have successfully completed the piling works on schedule.
“This involved installing 88 piles to a depth of 29 metres using a 120-tonne piling rig and over 1800 tonnes of concrete.
“Now the below-ground works have been completed we are fully focused on constructing the new bridge foundations and abutments. This will be progressed during June and July.”
The spokesperson said the immediate focus has been on reinforcing newly-installed foundations using temporary steel structures.
Erection of scaffolding and infilling areas up to the embankment is also underway.
Network Rail said surveys and other reports suggest the traffic management measures put in place in conjunction with Stirling Council appeared to be “operating effectively without any significant issues.
“We will continue to monitor this in conjunction with Stirling Council as our works progress,” the spokesperson added.
Although Kerse Road is closed to traffic, a temporary bridge is in place for walkers and cyclists.
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The team on site has been working hard and have successfully completed piling