Newark Dyke Rail Bridge, East Coast Mainline

Steel was chosen by the design and construction team as the ideal structural material on which to base their proposals to secure the Contract. Steel was used not only for the primary features of the new main span, but also for the special substructures and the extensive temporary works, including piling, needed for launching and slide-in operations. Steel’s high strength/weight ratio, shallow construction depth, flexibility, durability and robust qualities were essential ingredients in the success of this project.

Two previous bridges had carried the railway on a skewed alignment over the River Trent – the original wrought iron and cast iron trusses constructed in 1852 being replaced by the all steel Whipple Murphy trusses in 1890, one beneath each track, which survived until now. After a series of short-term strengthenings, Railtrack decided to replace the structure and, at the same time, take the opportunity to seek a solution that met their future aspirations for higher speed trains, by increase of the line speed from 100mph to 140mph. The existing double truss bridge involved reverse track curves and hence limited speeds at the site.