Keltbray Aspire was awarded the contract to undertake major track upgrade and OLE re-modelling works on the Crossrail Anglia Project, under contract with Costains (Principal Contractor) for Network Rail. The four and half year contract commenced in March 2014, and focused on the Anglia section of Crossrail (Pudding Mill Lane to Shenfield). This programme of works will enable an increased capacity and reduced East - West journey times between Reading to Shenfield.
Keltbray Aspire were responsible for the installation of the new track, OLE modifications including HV Power Distribution and signal cable interface management. The works were located within a highly complex and congested area with multiples of unknown power and signalling cables which required management, protection, removal or relocation to enable works to progress. Over the four and a half years, nearly 300 cables have been relocated (lift and shift), protected or removed, resulting in zero cable strikes with in excess of one million Keltbray Aspire man hours worked.
The main Track and Civil Engineering works consisted of the installation of 36 new S&C Units (including the abandonment of 24 existing units), formation works to support the new track installation and Major Temporary Works. The OLE works consisted of Structure Strengthening Works, Installation of 120 new OLE Wire runs, and 400 new foundations compromising of bespoke concrete gravity pads to pile foundation. Working with our client, a number of innovative areas have been developed including:
- Integration of the Keltbray unique Zeck Wiring Unit into the planned works, to accelerate installation times
- New Drainage installation methods, reducing the need for staff to work within the excavation area, reducing temp works requirements
The works once commissioned increased capacity and reduced journey times for the Anglia section of Crossrail, allowing implementation of the proposed timetable increases which commenced from 2017, with completion of works late 2018.
