Welcome to Translink Online - Translink
24 September 2002
Over the weekend, 21 and 22 September, Translink undertook a range of improvement work on the Belfast to Londonderry line at Ballymena railway station. A replacement bridge deck was put in place over Railway Street with new sleepers placed on the track.
The new bridge is the second to be replaced at Ballymena in recent weeks, as part of a project costing £350,000. As well as being a modern structure, the height of the bridge was raised to provide additional clearance underneath. It was carried out with the support of local beverage supplier Norbev, with the particular aim of improving access for their lorries. A temporary access road was provided through the Ballymena Construction property during the period of work. In addition to the bridge work, the old timber sleepers on the line were replaced with new ones.
Mark Atkinson, Infrastructure Engineer responsible for the bridge work, commented “I am delighted to report that the work this weekend was completed safely and on time. It has taken over a year from our original approval to completion. The new bridge has a design life of 120 years and I would like to thank our consultants, contractors and in-house infrastructure staff for their work.”
Translink Managing Director Ted Hesketh endorsed the programme of works when he visited the site, commenting, “The replacement bridge is part of an ongoing schedule of safety improvements across the network known as the A D Little programme, which is funded by the NI Assembly, and I am delighted that we are announcing the successful completion of this work in Ballymena. On behalf of Translink I would like to offer particular thanks to our passengers for their patience during the period of works, and for their continued support.”
Translink also took advantage of the closures to relay the railway track through Ballymena station. This work was carried out by our locally based permanent way squads.
Ends
Issued by Kathryn Campbell
Public Relations Officer
028 9089 9455
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