A £10 million South Norwood bridge was inched into place over railway tracks as trains continued to run, in a Network Rail first last week
Network Rail started installing the new Tennison Road bridge last Saturday (December 6) and slowly moved it across tracks near Norwood Junction.
However, the ten rail lines the bridge will run over remained operational for the duration of the installation using a combination of technology and engineering expertise and a hydraulic strand jack system.
Network Rail also captured the installation with a timelapse video.
Shane O'Connor, Network Rail's scheme project manager, said: "This is the first time we've worked in this way – in the past the only way would have involved a complete closure of the railway, which would have caused huge disruption.
"It's a great step forward for passengers and it's also a big leap forward for Croydon, as it will soon have a much improved bridge with extended paths and a wider road."
Network Rail and its contractor, GRAHAM Construction, are midway through the project to replace the original 1922 Tennison Road bridge.
Once complete in spring 2015, the 565 tonne bridge will have wider footways and carriageways.
Kathy Bee, Croydon Council's cabinet member for transport and the environment, said: "From local residents and commuters to football fans going to watch Crystal Palace play nearby, people in the borough will find it easier to get around when this new and wider bridge opens next spring because it will take more traffic and need fewer repairs.
"We want to thank local people for bearing with the works to the new bridge, which will make a real difference to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers when it opens."
The bridge works were criticised by South Norwood residents as they overlapped with the replacement of nearby Spring Lane bridge, which saw the temporary closure of two major arteries into the town at the same time.
Watch the timelapse video here:
