Prudhoe St S&C Renewal

Following the successful tender Smarttrax were awarded the contract to renew 6007A/B pts and associated plain line. The works were located within the central corridor tunnels beneath Newcastle city centre.

Overview of project

• Single bore tunnels with x-over located in only link tunnel. Tunnels bores as narrow as 4.7m. Site location 1500m from tunnel mouth and the nearest access point. Track is of slab track construction.
• Breaking out and removal of existing track components and concrete slab and removal from site.
• Installation of new S & C panels, loose materials and plain line sleepers.
• Replacing concrete infill around the new track components where the concrete had to be pumped over 100m from Eldon Square bus station through a vent shaft to site.
• Overhead Line Electrification (OLE): Performed necessary adjustments and bonding to integrate the new track system.
• Associated S & T works.

Site Issues - Solved

• Asbestos present on site - managed through asbestos consultant and licensed contractor to clean up and remove prior to the main works.
• Restricted work area within tunnels - Through working closely plant suppliers to provide appropriate machines to undertake the works. Testing and proving delivery method for moving materials to site.
• Air quality within the tunnels - Air quality monitoring throughout the works, dust suppression systems and air moving equipment installed to prevent build up of dust and gases.
• Concrete curing - Testing and proving of concrete designs to ensure sufficient compressive strength could be achieved for right tim hand back for normal running of trains.

Prudhoe St Stats

• All works completed as planned with right time hand back on both weekend possessions.
• 2 x CV 9 ¼ turn outs and 63m of plain line installed.
• Over 9000 man hours completed over the whole project with 0 accidents.
• 61 overnight prep and follow up shifts completed.
• Completed overhead line equipment (OLE) bonding and adjustments as part of the scope.
• Over 200 tonnes of concrete broken out and removed from site.
• Over 200 tonnes of concrete pumped to site over 100m from street level to site.
• Specific concrete design ensured required strength achieved to allow trains to start running on time.