New bridge over the River Tees finally being finished

[ainsworth74]

According to BBC News:

New bridge for Tees railway users

Work on a new rail bridge across the River Tees is nearing completion.

Engineers have been working since November to install the track on the new bridge on the route between Darlington and Saltburn.

Sixty-four people will be working from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day to complete the job so the line can reopen for services on 27 December.

The work is being carried out when no trains are scheduled to run and will not affect any rail services.

Network Rail engineers will use the holiday to move track and signals on to the new bridge which has been constructed alongside the old one.

The old bridge will be demolished in due course.

It's only taken about 5/6 years to actually finish the job!

 

[142094]

Went to Saltburn a few weeks back and was quite shocked to see some Stobart Rail staff working on the track - must have been sitting there unused for a good two years or so (the track that is).

 

[DarloRich]

which bridge is it? Thornaby - next to the A66?

 

[142094]

which bridge is it? Thornaby - next to the A66?

The one over the Tees just after Bowesfield box (going towards Thornaby it is on the left over the river). Think that is the A66 next to it?

 

[DarloRich]

thats the one! thought so. Cheers!

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Well the new bridge is open. What I'm surprised about is that they're still using the southern portal of the tunnel under the South Stockton Link road - it makes for a hell of a skew off the western end of the bridge. I've only seen it from above coming down the slip road onto the A66 but it doesn't look like a quick alignment.

 

[ainsworth74]

Went of the new bridge on the 31st and it did seem slower than the old bridge, but from what I could see there were still a lot of temporary speed restrictions around so it will probably get faster later. Other than that it was very interesting, but you know new infrastructure in the North East, how often do that happen!

 

[142094]

Well the new bridge is open. What I'm surprised about is that they're still using the southern portal of the tunnel under the South Stockton Link road - it makes for a hell of a skew off the western end of the bridge. I've only seen it from above coming down the slip road onto the A66 but it doesn't look like a quick alignment.

That sounds quite surprising, unless there are going to install track in the northern tunnel at a later date? Have to have a look the next time I'm in the area.