Crossrail C512 Whitechapel Structures Removal

KEY FACTS

LOCATION: Whitechapel, London
CONTRACTOR: Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall and VINCI JV (BBMV)
CLIENT: Crossrail
VALUE: £6.5m
SECTORS: Rail
SERVICES: Concrete Cutting and Controlled Demolition

The new design for Whitechapel station, which forms part of Crossrail, includes major improvements at the station and other upgrades which will greatly benefit passengers and local residents.


As part of the upgrade works, Kilnbridge was appointed by BBMV JV to dismantle a number of significant bridge structures which span the station to enable the construction of the new concourse and access structures.

Our scope of works is phased over a three-year period which involves the controlled dismantling of 14 separate structures, including seven bridging structures. We designed and installed our own temporary works with the intention to support the structure and cut it into craneable sections for removal off site. This de‐risks the possessions as it allows more hold points and if the works are not complete then the railway can still open. This is not the case with traditional demolition methods as once you commence you must complete the operation.


Crossrail C512 Whitechapel structures removal
Crossrail C512 Whitechapel structures removal 2

We recently completed removal of London Overground Bridge Structure D124 during a 52-hour possession. This entailed erecting a temporary crash deck beneath the bridge and floor sawing and track sawing the composite bridge deck consisting of concrete and RSJs at 450mm centres spanning between steel girders into 9.5-tonne sections. A titan clamp was installed above and below the composite slab to ensure its integrity during lifting. The main steel girders (weighing 45 tonnes) carrying the deck were cut into three sections using a diamond wire sawing method. This was much quicker than conventional gas torch burning methods due to the presence of lead paint and rust between the riveted plates that comprised the overall girder. Other works include the removal of whaling beams at the Durward Street shaft.