Just over one month since the reopening of the Nuneham Viaduct

Just over one month since the reopening of the Nuneham Viaduct, in Oxfordshire, we take a look back at our works on this critical piece of Network Rail’s infrastructure.

Just a few days into a 10 week programme we were drafted in by Balfour Beatty plc to install all the permanent piles to carry the new abutment. 8nr 805x26.1 CHS pile 22m in length were installed in 2 pieces to carry all the axial loads, and CAZ52-700 box piles and AZ28-700 formed the retaining structure for the abutment and railway embankment reconstruction.

Works took placed over an intense 3 week period where we worked 24/7 to complete the piling works utilising our specialist RTG RG25S and 2nr ABI TM22s. Various specialist techniques were employed to allow the installation of piles through the existing abutment, and works were made even more challenging due to the presence of a critical fibre optic cables which bisected the site and was suspended 5m above the piling platform.

To provide a speedy and robust piling platform 52nr DAWSON-WAM steel mats were used help spread the load into the underlying spongy alluvium.

We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our teams in being able to complete our works ahead of time and therefore to be able to assist our Client Balfour Beatty Rail in delivering the overall project to Network Rail ahead of time!