Regents Canal, Camden Rail Bridge Replacement Bridge Support

• Client: Story Contracting
• Project Value: £315k
• Dates: December 2022 – January 2023

GPS Marine and Civil Services (GPS MACS) provided marine support to Story Contracting during the possession and replacement of the Camden rail bridge over Christmas 2022.

The scope of work included constructing a solid pontoon deck across the width of the Regents Canal. The barges were fitted with a crash deck to allow the demolition teams safe access to the underside of the bridge and ensure no waste from the demolition went into the waterways.

During the constructive stage the pontoon was used to support the entire weight of the new bridge planks and jack into position for the securing of the final deck beam.

As part of the works GPS MACS undertook detailed stability calculations to account for the movement of the barge during the uneven loading of the bridge planks. With the barge expected to drop over 200mm during loading and only a limited run on the jacks these calculations were essential to the timely reconstruction of the bridge.

Upon loading of bridge planks, the barge behaved as GPS MACS calculated and all the planks aligned allowing for the Story team to lift in the final section using the 650t land-based crane.

GPS operatives worked 24 hours during the possession in support of the project, maintaining barge stability levels by ballasting in line with the stability calculations. This work allowed the barge works to complete on schedule and Story to successfully hand back the bridge to Network Rail on time.