Huge bridge project at birthplace of railways
A MAMMOTH new rail engineering project has been completed at the birthplace of the railways during the Industrial Revolution.
The Ordsall Chord will connect Manchester’s three main stations, with a 1,600-tonne steel arch bridge overlooking George Stephenson’s 1830 stone construction over the River Irwell, the first passenger railway bridge in the world.
Rail Minister Paul Maynard installed the final rail clip on to the track yesterday in a ceremony marking completion of the Network Rail scheme.
He said: “The new Ordsall Chord is a major milestone for the Great North Rail Project and forms a key part of this Government’s £13bn investment in transport in the North.
“The construction of this new, iconic bridge has supported 2,000 jobs, including new apprentices and graduates, and will provide new and direct links to Manchester Airport from across the region.”
The 300-metre rail link over the Irwell, including a series of bridges and viaducts, took two years to complete, using 14,339 cubic metres of concrete, 4,378 tonnes of steel and 28,500 tonnes of ballast.
Rail bosses promise it will improve services and reduce congestion, allowing faster and more frequent services through Manchester Victoria, Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Salford Mayor Paul Dennett joined Mr Maynard walking across part of the new bridge with Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne.
Mr Burnham said: “This is an impressive engineering project and I would like to thank everyone who has worked on it and contributed to the ongoing regeneration of our city region.
“The iconic network arch bridge will create a new landmark on the Manchester skyline.
“It harks back to the glory days of rail investment and stands just yards from the site of the world’s first-ever railway station.”