Transport for London says it will begin installing the new tensioning cables inside the Hammersmith Flyover next week, as part of its ongoing work to fully reopen the structure to all traffic.
The works, which began in January, have seen around 200m of the central reservation along the flyover removed, a new structural slab and concrete barriers installed, as well as tailored anchorages for the new cables installed within the structure.
The design for the new post-tensioning system will see new cables installed above and below the bridge deck as part of a bespoke design, which will supplement the load capacity of the existing cables. The new cables are surrounded by wax oil to prevent deterioration and allow inspection and replacement if required in the future.
In order to install the new cables, the flyover will need to be fully closed overnight for six nights in April and two full weekends to ensure that there are no adverse forces applied to the structure while the cables are being tensioned.
Following these closures, TfL will continue to work around the clock to complete these works and fully reopen the flyover in June 2012, in time for the Olympics.
Following the Games, TfL will return to the structure to strengthen the remaining spans. This work will not require further weight restrictions to be imposed and TfL hope to complete it with off peak lane closures and minimal closures to the flyover, causing limited traffic disruption.
TfL say this repair will allow the flyover to carry a full load of traffic “for many decades to come”.
