Hochtief was
awarded the Maiden Lane Canal Bridge Contract by the London Borough of Camden
on 23 December 1997.
The Contract involved the staged demolition of the old bridge in two sections and its complete replacement with a new bridge which meets the current EEC legislation on minimum loading. The phased reconstruction was achieved using an Army-style Bailey bridge to overbridge the site on one side. Two-way traffic was maintained on this overbridge whilst half of the old bridge was demolished and replaced. Two way traffic then used the new half-bridge whilst the overbridge was removed, the second half of the old bridge demolished and the new second half constructed. In this way traffic Flow along York Way for commuters and the many transport-based businesses in the area, was maintained, as was the canal traffic. Great care was necessary to locate the many services crossing the bridge and the very high voltage cables under the adjacent canal towpath.
To maintain the look and style of the old bridge when constructing the new, the existing stonework was carefully removed, reworked preserving the original outer surfaces and then re-used to clad the new bridge structure. In this way the new bridge abutment surfaces include the original grooves worn into the corner stones 150 years ago by the tow ropes from the water traffic.
The first section of the new bridge opened on 13 August 1998 followed by the second half on 14 December 1998.
The History of Maiden Lane Bridge
The original cast iron bridge at this site was constructed in 1819 in accordance with the provisions of the Regents Canal Act of 1812 to carry Maiden Lane, later renamed York Way, over the canal. This bridge was replaced by a wider bridge in 1852 by the Northern Railway Company under an agreement dated 14 May 1850 between the Railway and the proprietors of the Regents Canal to provide improved access to the Kings Cross Goods Yard. The bridge was again widened in 1923 under a grant of perpetual easement for widening on the west side. An assessment of this bridge carried out in 1993 by Camden Engineering gave a mere 7.5 tonne load carrying capacity and in 1995 temporary lane reduction/separation measures were enforced to protect the bridge without resorting to weight restriction.
Strengthening of the old bridge proved to be technically and economically non-viable and it was decided to replace it with a new bridge on piled foundations to conform to the current EEC legislation on minimum loading. The bridge at this site brings out the importance and roles played by canals, railways and roads in the transport history of London. In deference to the glorious history of this,site, parts of the original fabric have been retained or reused and the new parapets designed and fabricated to match the original one found on the east of the bridge, which was salvaged and handed over to LB lslington for use elsewhere.
Although the planning, design, construction and the successful bids for funds were managed by Engineers in the Environment Department of London Borough of Camden, the fruition of this project would not have been possible without the magnificent efforts and cooperation of many key players listed below:
Acknowledgements :
LoBEG (London Bridges Engineering Group), who master planned, lobbied for and managed the funding for all bridgeworks in London and secured funding for this project in Camden/lslington.
GOL (Government Office for London), who lobbied, presented the case for London and secured what the Capital deserved.
Roughton Associate’s, who designed the bridge and provided efficient post design services.
Hochtief (UK) Construction who applied their construction expertise throughout to sucessfully complete the scheme against numerous unforeseen circumstances and changes
BWB (British Waterways Board), who provided access to their towpath and other Working areas and maximum cooperation.
LB lslington who cooperated in numerous ways throughout and in particular made land avaiIable for site offices and other operations
Samuel Lewis Housing Cooperation, who also provided Hochtief with a vital piece of Land and space from which to operate.
Statutory Undertakers who carried out an enormous amount of essential plant diversion to enable the bridge construction
London and Continental, BP Station , P& 0 Properties, who permitted a certain degree of encroachment on their Iands during the works.
Local residents and businesses in lslington and Camden, who understood the complexity of this project and also its long term benefits and gave their cooperation in the face of traffic jams, diversions and other inconveniences.
To all of you a big thank you.
We are proud to offer this completed scheme at this historic site to the people of Camden and Islington and all other road users.