Re: Review of Gerrards Cross tunnel

"Paul" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I hear that. How many times have I spent hours and hours trying to write
documents that set out what is required only for my efforts to be largely
ignored. As Tony say's this is not a particular UK or modern problem, no
matter how much we may enjoy Victorian engineering and architecture, usually
beneath the fine apperance one can see where the corners have been cut and
money saved (my local line Hastings - Tonbridge and it's infamous tunnels
are testiment to that).


One of the best Victorian examples is Brunel's GWR bridge across the
Thames at Maidenhead which had to be completely rebuilt before the
line could open because the contractor failed to understand Brunel's
insistence on using a particular, unusual mortar.

Another good example of Victorian engineering failures is Thomas
Telford's Menai Bridge (a road bridge) which failed spectacularly
several times and was rebuilt each time to a different design. Only
when it was given yet another new deck and chains in the early part of
WW2 (to allow heavy loads to reach the Admiralty port at Holyhead) did
it become a truly sound structure.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: US 9W bridge in Highland is being rebuilt.
    ... Avenueis being rebuilt. ... precast concrete and will be removed before a new bridge is built. ... The lanes are 11' wide. ... 'The Quality goes in before the Name goes on' ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: US 9W bridge in Highland is being rebuilt.
    ... Avenueis being rebuilt. ... precast concrete and will be removed before a new bridge is built. ... The lanes are 11' wide. ... classed functionally obsolete-it carried 4 lanes with no shoulders. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: Freeway collapses in Bay Area
    ... Wasn't this intersection just rebuilt within the past decade or so? ... Probably not that particular overpass (580 EB from 80 EB, overcrossing ... and HOV ramps from the Bay Bridge to/from 80 EB/WB. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: We Dont Need Bridges Just Tax Breaks For The Rich
    ... Bridge might have been repaired, or rebuilt, if clintoon hadn't had ... The best president we ever had. ...
    (alt.politics.bush)