Project Title: Dartford Tunnel, Kent
Background:
The Dartford Crossing is the major crossing point of the Thames
linking Essex and Kent to the east of London. The crossing consists
of two 2-lane tunnels and a 6-lane bridge. The tunnels take the
northbound traffic from Kent into Essex and the bridge the southbound.
The Crossing is, potentially, the major choke point in the M25 London
Orbital Motorway.
Requirement:
Over the past four years both bores of the Dartford Road Tunnel
have had the road deck replaced. In order to replace the deck, the
Principal Contractor, Kvaerner (now Skanska), fabricated concrete
panels. Each night, between 8:30pm and 5:30am a section of old deck
needed to be lifted out and a new section installed. At 9:00am the
tunnel would be handed back for resumption of traffic.
Constraints:
- Limited time
- Access
- Logistics
Techniques Used:
- Floor sawing
- Angled steel track
- Stitch drilling
- Purpose-built rig and control mechanism
Conclusion:
Peter Barringer, the Project Manager on both tunnels, decided that
he would not have not have confidence in a diamond cutting contractor
other than Robore in terms of technical ability, resources management
and commitment to overcoming problems. His decision was repaid as
the project was completed on time and within budget.
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