Installation of the steel support frames to stabilise the 135-year-old Hammersmith Bridge has commenced.
The bespoke steel frames are being fitted by Hammersmith & Fulham’s world-leading experts on the saddles where the bridge’s chains are attached.
The steel was imported in 29 giant sheets to make the frames and then cut into 1,220 bespoke pieces before being welded together in a Middlesbrough factory. The new steel frames were also painted off-site in the Grade II* listed structure’s original green colour.
Once the steel frames are fitted, the engineers will jack up the saddles and replace the corroded seized bearings. This marks the final phase of the stabilisation works as we work to restore Hammersmith Bridge to its Victorian splendour.
Following that, engineers will repair the bridge’s surface and decking before looking to reopen the main carriageway to cyclists.
While H&F specialist engineers work hard every day on-site, Hammersmith Bridge remains a teaching tool for the next generation of engineers.
Hammersmith welcomed 25 third-year civil engineering students from Trinity College Dublin to demonstrate the reality of working on a large engineering project.
“Maintenance and repair of old infrastructure is going to be a big part of the careers of civil engineers in the future,” commented John Hickey, a Structural Engineering lecturer who accompanied the undergraduates.
“Getting to see Hammersmith Bridge is really useful to help students to understand the challenges that they, and society in general, will face in the coming years as critical infrastructure ages.”
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