00:00 This is the first look at the brand new metal span that's soon to be installed on
00:04 Barmouth Viaduct in North Wales as part of our £30m restoration of the iconic structure
00:11 that makes it part of the beautiful Cambrian Coast Railway line.
00:16 A unique delivery and installation system has been developed.
00:22 To test it out, our teams built a makeshift railway so that they could practice the challenging manoeuvre.
00:28 This involved the use of 16 jacks and 6 railway trailers to lift the span onto the track and then moving it up and down.
00:37 The practice was a success, with the real installation due to take place this autumn
00:42 as we complete the final phase of this refurbishment by replacing the metallic elements, perhaps the most difficult part.
00:49 It will involve the new span being lifted onto the viaduct and then transported via rail into the old bridge structure.
00:57 Once it reaches its final destination on the northern side of the viaduct,
01:01 dedicated teams will then peel away the old steel structure, putting it onto pontoons in the Mowthoch Estuary
01:08 and revealing the new bridge span inside.
01:11 This is all part of a multi-million pound scheme to restore the 150-year-old viaduct like for like.
01:18 Our work, which has been spread out over three years to minimise disruption,
01:22 will improve journeys for passengers with the installation of new track
01:26 and a boost to the resilience of the bridge thanks to brand new timber and metal elements.
01:32 A hugely important rail link and historic tourist attraction,
01:36 we are dedicated to preserving the history whilst demonstrating innovation through 21st century engineering.
01:42 The final leg of this work will begin in September, lasting for 13 weeks.
01:48 In order for us to carry out the work safely, the railway will need to be closed,
01:52 but Transport for Wales will be operating replacement bus services,
01:56 so passengers can still get to where they need to go.
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