First deck poured for replacement rail bridge at Tampere railway yard

The pour took place in the early hours of Wednesday at the Itsenäisyydenkatu underpass in the Tampere railway yard, following the demolition of the old Ratapihankatu bridge in April and ongoing earthworks for Tampere’s third station platform, both part of the same station renewal programme.

The project upgrades 1930s two-part bridges for the new travel terminal. The old spans are being replaced with longer, wider trough-beam bridges. They are being built temporarily at a higher level because of tram protective structures and will be jacked down to their final positions later this autumn.

The pour went smoothly, Väylävirasto project manager Jetro Matilainen said. The team is now preparing for the jacking operation.

Construction began in April with demolition of the old bridge. After mid-June the work moved into the building phase following rock reinforcement and the installation of end and intermediate supports. Workers completed formwork and rebar and fitted tendons and cooling pipes.

The new bridge is just over 60 metres long and 13 metres wide. It contains about 170 tonnes of steel and 950 cubic metres of concrete.

All four replacement bridges are identical and are being built in phases so rail traffic can continue. This structure is the second of five bridges being renewed across the underpass. The first bridge will be brought into service next spring, when the third island platform and tracks are ready.