Llanelli bridge breaks records
Last updated: 25 June 2007
THE world's biggest corrugated steel bridge has been completed. Bad weather forced the postponement of the work twice. See our slideshow, or if you want to know more about Llanelli check out all the essentials here.
The tunnel has a record-breaking span of 15.5 metres, is more than 52 metres long and weighs 129 tonnes.
The biggest crane in Wales carried out the intricate operation when the Fishguard train went through. The operation was completed with 45 minutes to spare - with the last third section of bridge bedding at the second attempt.
Commissioned by Carmarthenshire County Council as part of its £6.8 million Morfa to Berwick coastal link-road project, in Llanelli, the link-road passes over the main railway line linking London and South Wales.
The backfill operation involves constructing a reinforced earth embankment using a concrete panel system. It's hoped the link-road project will be completed by Jan 2008.
The tunnel, made by Asset International, offers the size needed to accommodate large rail locomotives but it is less than a tenth of the weight of conventional materials.
The galvanised steelwork is said to mean that it will have long-term life as well as being durable and relatively lightweight.
Llanelli essentials in our mini-site all about the town!
your comments
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stephen
We need hospitals not tunnels.
Fri Jul 6 12:45:08 2007
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