- The specialist team working at Blackfriars Bridge had to build the 3,700-tonne section of concrete culvert in the river 100m away due to space constraints under the bridge
- Due for completion in 2025, the tunnel is being constructed from 24 sites across the city, from Acton in the west to Stratford in the east
Ferrovial Construction, in partnership with Laing O’Rourke, floated a giant piece of the Thames Tideway Tunnel new super sewer infrastructure into place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The specialist team working at Blackfriars Bridge had to build the 3,700-tonne section of concrete culvert in the river 100m away due to space constraints under the bridge. It was then carefully manoeuvred into place where it will be connected to the existing sewer system.
The huge structure will intercept thousands of tonnes of raw sewage from the Fleet combined sewer outflow (CSO) – which currently discharges into the River Thames – and redirect it into the new super sewer.
“After more than four years of planning, design and innovative engineering, it’s amazing to see this giant culvert come to life and float along the Thames. Through outstanding collaboration and teamwork, we’ve managed to achieve a unique solution that puts us one step closer to cleaning up the Thames. This feat of engineering will be looked at for years to come in the engineering world.”
The 100 metre-long, nine-metre-high culvert was constructed within a cofferdam, a dry working area built into the river, which has occupied the north bank of the Thames for the last two years.
Approximately 1,200m3 of concrete was cast over three months to construct the culvert, creating a hollow structure which will now form the working area for the team as they build the rest of the structures required for site.
“This is an innovative and historic milestone for the River Thames and the future of London. Our team has delivered excellent design and engineering at its finest in an incredibly complex environment, overcoming all manner of challenges. This is a unique project, requiring unique solutions – and true to the pioneering achievements of Bazalgette over 160 years ago, the positive results will be felt of our work for many, many years to come.”
Tideway is the company building London’s super sewer, a 25km sewer tunnel that will prevent tens of millions of tonnes of sewage that currently pollute the tidal section of the River Thames in London every year.
Due for completion in 2025, the tunnel is being constructed from 24 sites across the city, from Acton in the west to Stratford in the east. More than 60 per cent of the tunnel has been built already, and the final section of the tunnel in East London will begin tunnelling later this year.
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