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An extraordinary engineering feat is due to take place in the heart of the City this weekend, to help complete a crucial section of Transport for London’s East London line project.

Britain’s biggest mobile crane is being brought in to pick up and then gently lower into place a massive 350-tonne bridge over Shoreditch High Street. The bridge will carry the East London line over the busy City thoroughfare.

The whole operation to secure the bridge in position will last the weekend and involve a team of Britain’s top civil engineers. The actual lift-and-drop will take place on Saturday morning.  The complex feat can be followed all weekend on the TfL website, via a web cam link.

The spectacular bow-string bridge, so-called because it’s shaped like a massive archer’s bow, was constructed just yards from where it will be manoeuvred into position.

Project manager Barrie Noble said: “I’ve been in this business a good many years and have led a fair few extraordinary projects, but this particular feat really will be something to behold. I can’t say how proud I am of the team behind it, both the TfL engineers and the contractors we are using.”

The bridge ready to be put in place

A spokesman for the contractors, a Balfour Beatty Carillion Joint Venture, said: “We are very pleased to be an integral part of a project that will bring something of a visual wonder to the East End. This bridge will be an extraordinary sight, both going in and for many many years once it’s in place.”

USEFUL FACTS

• The biggest mobile crane in the country is being used (1200 tonnes) to lift SHS bridge.
• The bow-string bridge weighs 350 tonnes, is 35m long and 11m high.
• The bridge reflects in the Regent’s Canal bridge in Haggerston, Hackney.
• The bridge was manufactured at Fairfield Mabey’s workshops in Chepstow, and put together near the site where it will carry the East London line over Shoreditch High Street.
•  Once the bridge is positioned, the remaining concrete deck will be installed,
  along with the tracks for the ELL and associated works.
• The bridge will be coloured ‘Papyrus’ white – which is the same as the other bridges the East London line project has renovated on the Kingsland Viaduct.
• The East London line is due to open in early 2010 and will run from Dalston Junction to West Croydon.
• It will be part of TfL’s London Overground network and is costing £1 billion to build.