Timelapse footage shows a brand-new bridge being slid into place under the Midland Main Line.
The bridge, which will one day provide rail access to the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, was built next to the main line before being moved between December 21 and 29.
To install the bridge, 60 metres of track and part of the embankment carrying the Midland Main Line was removed. In total, 12,500 m3 of material was taken out to make way for the bridge before rails were laid on top once it was in position.
Once complete, the interchange will be a rail-connected logistics facility and be one of 20 in the UK, but the only one serving London. It will also be located near the M1 and M25 motorways.
Charles Blake, Senior Director, at SEGRO, the company behind the project, said: “The successful installation of the jack box underbridge structure is a critical first construction milestone in the development of the SRFI at SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett, and the result of months of meticulous planning, preparation and delivery to ensure it could be completed during the Christmas period when the railway was already scheduled to be closed.
“In the context of the wider development it is a relatively small component, but it is vitally important to ensuring that the freight terminal will be capable of operating by the time the first building has been constructed and reinforces our commitment to rail freight being at the heart of this development.”
The project has been unpopular with some locals after SEGRO bought part of the former Radlett Aerodrome site from Hertfordshire County Council for £34 million. The remaining part of the site was brought from private owners.
Locals campaigned against the council sale, saying the authority had promised to protect the land to be used as open space when it bought its share of the site for £1 in 1984. However, a High Court review concluded the sale was lawful.
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