Images on this page are archive images.

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By the end of November, work was underway on the north sidewalls/parapets. On the west side these rest on the compacted ramps. On the east side however, the ramp construction is complicated by the presence of the Caernarfon Water Main and field access close to the roadside. The section nearest the church requires a massive retaining wall to support the ramp before the sloping ramp side can begin. The parapets will therefore be compound, partly an extension of a mass cast reinforced retaining wall built up from ground level and part founded on the upper ramp itself. This was becoming clear at the end of December.

By mid February the extension of the abutments to the north was nearing completion. This will make the bridge several metres longer from the railway's point of view though only a four metres wider on the roadway due to the large skew angle. The wing walls were also in the process of being cast.

This easterly view (25/11/01) shows the road being widened to the left (north) and new cast re-inforced concrete parapets are being constructed. The yellow van marks the position of the trackbed. The original corrugated steel parapet was still in place on this date. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scan technology utilised is Olympus ES10 & iPhoto Plus4. Slide displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (24/12/01) shows the progress made a month later on the new cast re-inforced concrete parapets. These are nearly complete on the north side but will be finished with local stone cladding on both sides. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (24/12/01) from the top of the bridge shows the cast re-inforced concrete parapet will be extended to the bridge deck. However, the bridge portal abutment on the west side is currently being excavated to lengthen it to the north and strengthen it. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (23/2/02) shows the cladding work nearing completion on the road side of the concrete wall on the northwest side of the ramp. the railway side of the concrete will also be clad in local stone. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (9/2/02) shows the construction of the wing walls of the new bridge extension. Piling (extreme right) supports the excavation for the new abutment extension. The shuttering for the latter is visible centre right while that for the new widened west ramp is visible to the left. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scanned at 200 dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This easterly view (1/4/02) shows the northwest side of the new parapet on the  western approach ramp. The final sections of the new parapet were being cast towards the summit of the bridge by 8/4/02. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi VM-D865LE using Studio DV and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This easterly view (4/5/02) shows the west ramp in the final stages of completion with the south parapet (right) having been cast but not yet clad. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. images scanned at 200dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (4/6/02) shows the final stages of completing the west ramp. The roadway is now fully opened (prior to the Bank Holiday weekend) and only requires a final wearing layer of blacktop. The bridge is having pedestrian (and photographer!) refuges on both north and south sides at the crest. Some of the kerbing remains to be done. All the parapets have been cast but some are not yet clad. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. images scanned at 200dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (30/6/02) of the west ramp of the bridge shows the cladding operation nearing completion. Riven slate is being used to clad the re-inforced concrete walls. Kerbing is complete and ironworks have been raised prior to the laying of the wearing layer of blacktop. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken using Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera and post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (1/4/02) shows the north parapet being completed across the new bridge. The road has been diverted to the north on this side so that the foundations for the south side parapet can be excavated. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi VM-D865LE using Studio DV and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This northerly view (9/2/02) clearly shows the excavation of the west side abutment supported by steel piling (left). This has allowed the extension of the abutment walls to the north on this side and the shuttering and reinforcement cage is visible in place for the final pour to bring the level up to that of the road deck beam. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scanned at 200 dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This northerly view (23/2/02) shows the completed abutment extension and wing wall of OB53 on the north west side of the bridge. To the right can be seen the falsework supports for the casting of the deck beam which was due at the end of February. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

Once the new deck was cast and cured, traffic was diverted onto the newly extended structure allowing work to be completed on the remaining southern part of the bridge. By 2/3/02, kerbing had been laid on the north side of the bridge on the west ramp. There will be a footpath on both sides of the road at the crest of the bridge only, although this may be grassed. This will no doubt be a favourite location for photographers of southbound trains in years to come! The height of the parapet over the railway is determined by HSE requirements and photography will only be possible on the ramps.

This easterly view (23/2/02) shows the preparations for the casting of the deck of OB53. Betws Garmon chapel is visible in the background. At this time both abutments had been cast. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (23/2/020 shows the completed north east abutment and wing wall. The newly cast concrete has been partly covered with a black waterproof primer and breezeblocks have been stacked against the concrete for drainage. The embankment will shortly be backfilled and consolidated. The road may be diverted onto this section to release the old bridge deck for renewal. The old bridge wall visible on the left will shortly be demolished and the original jack arch bridge deck removed once traffic is diverted onto the new extended bridge deck. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (2/3/02) shows the completed falsework for the new deck extension for OB53. Rodding has been erected for the cast deck reinforcement and the new parapet. The large skew angle is apparent in this view. The old stone and corrugated sheeting parapet has been demolished. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi VM-D865LE using Studio DV and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This northerly view (1/4/02) shows the north parapet being completed across the new bridge deck (under blue plastic). By 8/4/02 the remaining gaps in the north parapet either side of the bridge had been cast and were awaiting cladding with slate blocks. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi VM-D865LE using Studio DV and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This southerly view (14/4/02) shows the deck of the original bridge removed. With traffic diverted onto the new deck, it has been possible to lift the former jack arches (stacked next to the JCB). The narrow slot of the railway between the abutments is now visible. The tops of the existing abutments have been cleared and new reinforced capping beams were cast by the end of the month. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. Slide scanned at 200 dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

The new (northern) extension of OB53 has been constructed with greater width between the abutments to allow for cladding with local stone. However, the older section (revealed above) will retain its original NWNGR abutments with their narrower clearance. A new deck will be cast on reinforced concrete capping beams.

This northerly view (14/4/02) shows the deck of the original bridge removed. Traffic has been diverted onto the new deck (right). The concrete abutment under the new section can be seen. The former jack arches were extracted a few days before and are seen stacked next to the JCB. The narrow slot of the railway between the abutments is now visible. It is believed the abutments are in good condition and have merely required repointing like the other NWNGR overbridges in GCC's care. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. Image scanned with Olympus ES10 at 200dpi using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (4/5/02) shows the final stages of completion of the new deck for the southern half of the roadway. New capping beams have been cast on the existing abutments. Formwork and rebar have been constructed and the deck was due to be cast within days. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. Image scanned at 200dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/02) shows the final stages of completion of the new deck for the southern half of the roadway. A rebar frame to the left shows where the new southern parapet will soon be cast. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. Image scanned at 200dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

The week after Easter, the north parapet of the bridge was completed and being clad with slate blocks. The road was completed over the new deck and traffic was diverted onto it. Attention switched to the south side following diversion of the roadway. Already foundations for the southern parapet on the west side have been excavated. The concrete deck slab will be extended over strengthened abutments.

This easterly view (24/11/01) of the south side of the bridge shows the footpath diversion over the parallel footbridge while single file road operation takes place. Also in evidence are the gabions used to support the steep embankment on this side. Click on this image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scan technology utilised is Olympus ES10 & iPhoto Plus4. Slide displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly image (24/11/01) shows the easterly ramp widening under construction. Progress on this section has been slower as it is necessary to build a massive cast reinforced concrete retaining wall to keep the east ramp off the Caernarfon Water Main and the field access track (right) above it.. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scan technology utilised is Olympus ES10 & iPhoto Plus4. Slide displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (24/12/01) shows the progress made a month later on the new massive cast re-inforced concrete retaining wall. The sloping embankment begins beyond the furthest cast concrete structure and will have cast concrete parapets like the west side of the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (9/2/02) shows the eastern retaining wall nearing completion on the north side. A concrete base has been laid on the fill towards the top of the bridge to extend the roadside wall to the top of the bridge in the same form as on the other side of the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scanned at 200 dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This westerly view (23/2/02) shows work about to begin on the stone wall forming the north side of the eastern approach ramp. The red frames show the future shape of the wall that will be constructed from the slate slabs lying to the left. The same local stone will be used to clad both sides of the concrete wall further along. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi D8 camcorder. Post processing by  iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (2/3/02) shows the northeast side of the new parapet on the approach ramp. A stonemason has been cladding the concrete with local slate blocks to provide a finish in keeping with the area. Beyond the cladding work, new sections of wall are being cast towards the summit of the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi VM-D865LE using Studio DV and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This westerly view (1/4/02) shows the northeast side of the new parapet on the approach ramp. A stonemason has been cladding the concrete with local slate blocks to provide a finish in keeping with the area. Beyond the cladding work, new sections of concrete wall are being cast towards the summit of the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image captured from Hitachi VM-D865LE using Studio DV and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology.

This westerly view (4/5/02) shows the final stages of completion of the new bridge with the rebar frame for the new southern parapet in place. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. Image scanned at 200 dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/6/02) shows the west ramp in the final stages of completion with the road fully open for the Bank Holiday weekend. A final wearing surface of blacktop will be applied once the kerbing for the pedestrian refuges on both sides of the crest is complete. All the parapets have been cast but some not yet clad. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image from Sigma SA300 SLR camera. images scanned at 200dpi using Olympus ES10 and iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (30/6/02) of the north face of the bridge shows the cladding operation nearing completion. Riven slate is being used to clad the re-inforced concrete walls. On the top of the parapet random vertical slate is being used to deter access. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken using Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera and post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.

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Page Version 3.1 Dated 26/12/02